PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further consideration of the issues on appeal, including TDIU and PTSD claims for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. However, his claims for higher initial evaluation for PTSD prior to June 5, 2006 and TDIU prior to June 5, 2006 were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a review of the medical records by both a VA psychiatrist and psychologist to determine the level of occupational and social impairment related to PTSD alone. The RO/AMC must also consider and document their review under both the former and revised rating criteria when evaluating the appellant's posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board finds that the currently demonstrated ED is shown as likely as not to be caused by or aggravated by the service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for ED as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The VA Board has determined that the Veteran's dyssomnia, not otherwise specified, is related to his active duty service. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and thus denied this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches and muscle spasms did not have their onset in service, were not manifested to a compensable degree within one year after service, or are otherwise causally related to service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 1, 2009. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities include PTSD, depressive disorder, substance abuse history, dysthymic disorder with atypical features, and paranoid personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims file, including securing VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from January 8, 2003, to February 26, 2008. From February 27, 2008, the Veteran received a higher rating of 50 percent until October 22, 2008, when she was granted an increased rating of 70 percent and continues to receive this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the final October 1995 rating decision, which reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The case will be further developed to address stressor events and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is not granted any initial ratings as his claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA PTSD examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety and/or depression), and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information about the Veteran's stressors. The Veteran is required to provide information about his service-related stressors and any sources of treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by social isolation, passive suicidal ideation, depressed mood, and constricted affect. For the entire increased rating period, the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after these records are associated with the claims file.