PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and bilateral cataracts, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, affective disorder, depression, and psychosis. The new evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination. The claims of service connection will be adjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to November 22, 2011 and remains at that level as of November 22, 2011. The rating assigned does not represent the maximum benefit allowed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of confirmed diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the stressor event he experienced during active duty was found to be credible and supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development such as a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia and PTSD was denied as her TDIU claim was received after January 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for temporary total evaluations under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 are denied as the treatment provided did not meet the criteria of hospital treatment or observation for a period in excess of 21 days.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether it prevents him from securing or maintaining employment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection based on in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury. The evidence showed no indication of psychiatric symptoms during service, and the current disorders were diagnosed after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD, rated at 30 percent, has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating in May 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 14, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been granted.,Cold injury to the hands has not been established as a service-connected disability.,Cold injury to the left foot has been granted as a service-connected disability.,Kidney disorder has not been established as a service-connected disability.,Prostate disorder has not been established as a service-connected disability.,An initial 10 percent rating for status post fistulotomy prior to June 6, 2006 has been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for status post fistulotomy on and after June 6, 2006 has not been granted.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder, also claimed as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his PTSD and other conditions allow for substantially gainful employment.