PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors, including possible sexual assault and physical assault during service, are not credible. As a result, the claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including an in-person VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, and a review of service personnel records to verify any claimed stressors. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for obstructive sleep apnea must also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD had been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 25, 2010, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD with anxiety and depression, as well as an opinion regarding the effect this disability has on his employability. Additionally, any outstanding VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 40% due to cognitive impairment, and a separate rating for his related headache disability has been granted. The PTSD remains rated at 30%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to a traumatic in-service event involving military sexual assault, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be as likely as not attributable to events during her active military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations, and considering revisions to the PTSD criteria. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and information.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA opinion regarding the impact of his PTSD on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and attempting to verify the claimed stressors related to his PTSD. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to an inadequate November 2009 VA psychiatric evaluation. The Veteran is also required to provide updated medical records from May 2007, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case for increased evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been primarily manifested by symptoms including irritability, depression, and difficulty sleeping. The VA determined that the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation than 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling effective April 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether any other currently diagnosed psychiatric disability was incurred during or as a result of service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression with erectile dysfunction and gastrointestinal symptoms have been granted a total schedular disability rating of 100 percent since January 12, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, had its onset during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mood disorder, NOS (including anxiety and depression), is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the diagnoses of all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and findings.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder that is service-connected, as her claimed conditions are more likely related to her personal history and experiences outside of military service.