PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has a low back disability, bronchitis, or sleep apnea disability that are etiologically related to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating from November 9, 2005 through September 21, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and service connection for fibromyalgia and GERD were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, as the issues are related to rating decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to service, and his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and/or depression is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling effective December 8, 2008. The RO reduced the rating for his left knee instability from 20 to 0 percent effective October 1, 2008, based on improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining relevant treatment records from VA facilities and ensuring proper verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and re-adjudication due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unemployable since May 2006. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 10, 2002.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on in-service noise exposure and current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to clarify whether the Veteran currently fulfills the diagnostic criteria for any acquired psychiatric disability, and if so, whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The examiner should also address the relationship between the in-service head injury and any post-service diagnosis of a psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and attempting to obtain any outstanding records.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is PTSD, rated at 50 percent. His combined rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on schedular standards. However, his service-connected PTSD and associated mood disorder do not render him unemployable due to their effects.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by mild to moderate symptoms including intrusive recollections, nightmares, irritable mood with verbal anger outbursts, diminished interest in significant activities, a restricted affect, and feelings of detachment from others. The Board has found that the criteria for an initial evaluation of 50 percent, but no higher, for PTSD have been met throughout the pendency of this appeal.

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

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and residuals of a TBI and concussion were denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Sleep Apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which he claims is related to a stressful event during his military service. The Board has determined that the in-service stressor needs to be verified and will remand the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the presence of PTSD, and determining whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety/panic disorder with agoraphobia, which is related to his reported in-service stressors of military sexual trauma.