PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 10, 2009. Bilateral tinnitus was found to have its onset in service and is considered service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification or a new examination regarding service connection claims for low back injury, PTSD, and loss of peripheral vision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective from October 17, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 30 percent from June 18, 2003 to March 3, 2008.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with features of PTSD and depressive features is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 30, 2008. The Board found that the disability results in reduced reliability and productivity but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has effectively rendered him unable to work since he filed his current claim for VA benefits, resulting in total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors are credible and have established a link to her current symptoms. The claim for hypertension remains denied as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Board requested additional development including obtaining medical records prior to 2004 and requesting an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, as well as sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that none of his claimed conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating was granted at 30 percent, effective January 2008. As of September 29, 2011, the disability increased in severity and warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran seeks increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and determine the current severity of his PTSD symptoms, as well as whether he is unable to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and PTSD in February 2006, finding no new evidence to support the claims. The Veteran's petition to reopen these claims has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD is reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Veteran's PTSD had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claim of service connection for a fracture of the left little finger is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder, are related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with various psychiatric conditions including PTSD, Organic Psychotic Disorder, Vascular Dementia, and Depression. The Board finds that these diagnoses are related to his service due to combat exposure, and thus grants service connection for a variety of psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before the Board. His claims for service connection and increased rating remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been incurred in service due to combat exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional psychiatric treatment records, particularly those related to suicide attempts in the 1970s and 1980s. The Veteran is asked to provide information identifying these records and necessary releases for VA to secure them.