PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a nervous disorder, and a back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder NOS, was incurred in service and is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service nor may service connection be presumed for psychosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete development of records. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being addressed, as well as his increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, anger, irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating, auditory and visual hallucinations, social isolation, panic attacks, and passive suicidal ideation, resulting in occupational and social impairment in most areas. The criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective date set at September 30, 2002. The Veteran was awarded a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability as of October 31, 2006. He also received TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (to include anxiety and depression), were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, were granted service connection based on reopening of the claim with new evidence. Service connection for bilateral cataracts is pending as it was not addressed in this decision. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA records and authorization for additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these disabilities to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder and the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, authorization forms for SSA records, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death to be reopened. The August 2012 VA medical expert opinion supports a finding that the seizure disorder was related to the in-service head injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have significantly worsened prior to June 19, 2008, leading to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation effective February 22, 2006. He is also entitled to TDIU prior to June 10, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to issues with obtaining SSA records and VA examinations, as well as other procedural matters.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to a complex history of psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses, including bipolar disorder, personality disorders, PTSD, depression, and other conditions.