PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an audit of the Veteran's account and a current financial status report. The Veteran is to be provided another opportunity to submit evidence related to his request for waiver of recovery of overpayment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he has any other mental health conditions related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective January 6, 2011. The criteria for TDIU were met as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work at his previous job due to health issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's alcohol or drug abuse was caused by his PTSD, and whether it was aggravated by PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are now before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim of service connection for TBI was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. Other issues were either granted or denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and anxiety, did not manifest within one year of service or as a result of in-service events. The VA examiner concluded that the onset of these conditions was more likely than not after discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination by a psychiatrist to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and incomplete claims. The appellant's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses needs to be clarified, all associated records need to be obtained, and the date of each medical expense claimed must be determined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an audit of the Veteran's account and a current financial status report. The Veteran is to be provided another opportunity to submit evidence related to his request for waiver of recovery of overpayment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's missed VA examination and failure to verify stressor events. The claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a vocational rehabilitation folder and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the evaluation issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's restless leg syndrome is service-connected, and thus grants this claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's depression is considered part and parcel of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 2, 2009.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the August 2009 final rating decision. The claim to reopen his low back disorder was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a DRO hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, heart disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further verification of stressor events and a VA psychiatric examination.