PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of January 21, 2004, based on the submission of new and material evidence in 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been assigned a maximum disability rating of 70 percent, effective August 22, 2008. His tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability determination records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the current severity of PTSD and any pulmonary disorder due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bipolar disorder have been reopened, and a psychiatric disability was found to be incurred during active service. The claim for sleep apnea has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his stressors during service, specifically his exposure to gunfire and hearing fire fights in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from February 21, 2007. The Board found that the condition resulted in definite social and industrial impairment since this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, a sleep disorder (claimed as PTSD), and cervical spine condition have been denied. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his secondary service connection claim for the right knee was also denied. The decision is based on the current disability level of PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the appellant's mental competency and ability to handle VA funds. The case will be remanded for further investigation, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found to be present. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD with stuttering and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is pending. The TDIU issue remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and bilateral shin splints are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his in-service combat experiences. The issues of a temporary total evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are remanded as they were not addressed by the April 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no competent and credible evidence of record showing the Veteran being diagnosed with PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV while on active duty or at any time during the pendency of the appeal.