PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling beginning December 28, 2010. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD are granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis. The Board has reframed the issue as entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and depression.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to November 9, 2007 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that this met the criteria for a 50% evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and there is no evidence of asbestosis. The cause of death listed on the death certificate was end-stage cardiac disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Additionally, he needs a VA examination to assess whether his current left ankle disability is related to service or if it was caused by his service-connected chronic right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left eye disability and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a relationship between his current conditions and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a psychiatric examination to determine the cause of his current symptoms, including those related to PTSD. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was denied because the claimed stressors were not verified and did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to missing documents and incomplete file. Accrued benefits purposes apply.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating or additional service connection. The scar of the left parietal area of the scalp, while present, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Army Reserve treatment and personnel records, such as medical board reports.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for PTSD resulting from treatment at the El Paso VAMC on February 27, 2006. The case has been remanded due to missing records and further development of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and determined that new evidence received since the August 2006 denial supports a causal relationship between her current mental health conditions and her military service. The Veteran is therefore granted service connection.