PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since March 26, 2006 to April 29, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and private providers who have treated the Veteran's psychiatric disorder since December 2002. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The new evidence received since the July 2005 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuropsychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is aggravated by his service-connected vestibular neuropathy. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mental pain, and depression, is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with the anxiety disorder rated at 30 percent from May 23, 2008 to September 25, 2011, and PTSD rated at 50 percent from September 26, 2011. The Veteran's conditions have not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder).

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating since March 5, 2011. The TDIU claim is granted prior to March 5, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes, and a neurological disability.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was in the line of duty, granting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine, and low back disabilities. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2008. The Board finds that the disability picture does not warrant a higher rating as total occupational and social impairment is not shown.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability, increases in the ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder, and TDIU was denied. The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of the reopened claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim encompasses any psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative withdrew their request for an increased evaluation of PTSD.