PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Social Security Administration disability determination records.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, PTSD ratings, and TDIU effective date are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed PTSD based on corroborated in-service stressors and there was no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability related to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish hypertension as being incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination and his request for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an examination regarding his alcohol abuse. The issues of increased PTSD rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, other than chloracne and lipomas; lipomas on the back; and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or combat experiences. The Veteran's pre-existing scars from surgically removed cysts were not aggravated by service, and his current diagnosed psychiatric condition was not shown during service or for years thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in the aggregate, preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was caused by his in-service exposure to violent rioting in Okinawa, and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination and completion of VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for gout and reopened his claim for PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for gout.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 3, 1991. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating effective January 1, 2001, for his service-connected PTSD and denied the request for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after all actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective June 14, 2005. The Veteran's appeal remains before the Board regarding an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a verified stressor and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD. The psychiatric disorder was diagnosed many years after discharge, and there is no evidence of a psychosis within one year post-service.