PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD were found to be related to his service, with the Board finding that there was at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether his current tinnitus is the result of acoustic trauma in service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of malaria was not addressed due to pending issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records for bilateral hearing loss and a need to issue a statement of the case regarding the request to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability are all considered under the direct theory of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to insufficient information regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder for accrued benefits, as well as additional development needed for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to in-service stressors experienced during his Vietnam service.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars him from VA benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the appropriate disability evaluation for his PTSD and whether he meets the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need to verify a stressor and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 14, 2008 and in excess of 50 percent from October 14, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA psychiatric treatment records. A supplemental VA examination is also required to address direct service connection and secondary service connection on the basis of aggravation.

The Board previously denied an extraschedular rating for PTSD prior to December 31, 2007. The Court set aside this decision and remanded the case for readjudication on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his service-connected PTSD and for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain records from the Poggioreale prison in Naples, Italy. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent under the schedular criteria, and his symptoms are fully encompassed by these ratings. The Board finds that an extraschedular rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension were denied. The issues of increased evaluations for the service-connected laceration of the right frontal area of the head, generalized anxiety disorder, and TDIU by reason of service-connected disability are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to an assault in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 14, 2010. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression affecting his ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.