PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements regarding military sexual trauma are considered new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records, clarify the nature and extent of his psychiatric conditions, and determine if he has any current respiratory or skin disorders. The specific issues on appeal will be addressed once this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective May 6, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and found that the Veteran's PTSD warrants an increased evaluation. The case is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA medical records and a need for a new examination of the Veteran's PTSD. The issues include service connection for a right knee disability, an increased rating for PTSD, and assignment of an effective date prior to May 17, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary before further appellate consideration of the claim on appeal, including a search for missing service treatment records and an examination to address the Veteran's TBI, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD claims.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge due to the Veteran's representative indicating that the Veteran would like to request such a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus the claim for DIC is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), and chronic disability due to substance abuse. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for a chronic disability due to substance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD and hernia claims were denied, with the PTSD claim being denied for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to February 3, 2012, and a compensable rating for residuals of a hernia prior to June 24, 2008. The hernia claim was also denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent from August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical treatment at Norwood Health Center in January 2012 is being remanded due to unclear responsibility and incomplete information regarding the payment status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% schedular evaluation for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to December 2008, and the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable before that time.