PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the appellant now suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The VA will conduct additional medical testing and verify any claimed stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction as related to PTSD, based on new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction, are not shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding his employability status.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU from September 1, 2002 through January 17, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The issue of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders is also part of the appeal.

The Board has denied a higher evaluation for PTSD, and the case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including any alleged traumatic events during service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to issues not previously addressed in a statement of the case, including whether there was clear and unmistakable error shown in the June 1972 and February 1973 rating decisions denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and whether the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a nervous condition has been open since November 1972. The Board also requested an additional VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran satisfied the requirements for a diagnosis of PTSD as of April 11, 1980.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his PTSD are inconsistent, and there is no additional evidence provided since the last denial that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated medical records and a new VA examination to determine if service connection for PTSD should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for squamous-cell carcinoma of the left foot due to lack of chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms post-service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and nephropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thyroid disorder, and prostate cancer were denied. The claim for diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a claim are to be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service and the claim for service connection is granted.