PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the true diagnoses of any currently manifested psychiatric disorder(s), including PTSD, and whether there is a link between the current symptomatology and the July 1981 stressor reported by the appellant. The examiner should also indicate if the diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to the events in July 1981 as reported by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD. As this grants the benefit sought, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot and dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 29, 2009. The rating reflects the severity of symptoms such as suicidal ideation and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for bipolar disorder, as well as the issue of service connection for PTSD. The status on these issues is currently unknown.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the CID investigation and Social Security Administration, authenticating a DD Form 2910, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and requesting additional treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as new evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions related to in-service noise exposure and combat experience, respectively.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including anxiety and panic attacks, is not related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there were no verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cervical/lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and delusional disorder, was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability that had its onset in or is otherwise associated with service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service personal sexual assault, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, psychiatric disability other than PTSD, right knee disability, stomach disability, and left shoulder disability. The initial ratings for left knee instability and degenerative joint disease were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The RO remanded the case due to new evidence of worsening symptoms and a possible TDIU issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including mental health treatment records from service and a possible personal assault stressor. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder will be reviewed with additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor, and his claims are based on direct service connection. The Veteran's contentions regarding combat exposure have been found to be not credible.

The Board has granted a total disability rating for PTSD effective December 7, 2004, based on evidence showing the Veteran's condition had worsened since his last VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his PTSD claim, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the validity of his overpayment debt and whether it was created due to incarceration. The AOJ must also adjudicate the issue of entitlement to a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits.

Throughout the entire initial rating period, PTSD has been productive of homicidal ideation, sleep disturbance, anxiety, suspiciousness, difficulty concentrating, and panic attacks more than once a week resulting in occupational and social impairment, reduced reliability, and productivity. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating is granted.