PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral hand/arm disability (claimed as due to cold injury) are found to be related to service. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also found to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to fear of hostile military activity during service in Cuba.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with an effective date of November 18, 2003. The Veteran's claim was received on that date and he was entitled to service connection prior to this date.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses from January 13, 2011 to January 17, 2011 are approved as part of his hospitalization for a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a PTSD examination to assess his current social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of his claimed stressors and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GAD and depression.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability evaluation, and also finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder have been rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2010. The symptoms include occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating for both periods on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his education and work experience make him suitable for sedentary employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD and a link to his military service, including combat exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Board determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that his acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Schizophrenia, Paranoid (CPT), is related to service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as his claimed conditions are not related to military service. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is attributable to service, specifically an in-service sexual assault. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and to determine if he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was granted. The appeal is based on the direct relationship between the current diagnoses and military service.