PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to determine his current psychiatric diagnoses, their etiology, and whether he was permanently disabled prior to March 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The AOJ will review these claims after conducting necessary searches and examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse and right thigh shrapnel wound disabilities have been granted ratings, and he is now eligible for a TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to function in an occupational environment due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for alcoholism/dementia. The Veteran is now seeking service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and gout as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of increased rating for PTSD prior to September 18, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim for PTSD to include all acquired psychiatric disorders. The case is REMANDED due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional medical findings on causation.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted, and the issue of an increased rating for headaches is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD disability is manifested by total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating. As this leaves no question of law or fact to decide regarding the TDIU issue (which would be moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD), the appeal for TDIU is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, depressed mood, suspiciousness, sleep impairment, anger and irritability, flashbacks, and isolation. The VA determined that these symptoms warranted a 30 percent rating for the period prior to January 25, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not related to service. Service connection for hepatitis C due to Agent Orange exposure in Korea is granted. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are presumed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder was incurred during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to his combat service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examination for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and social and industrial survey to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA compensation examiner regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.