PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding his obligation to provide evidence of a baseline severity of his sleep apnea in order to establish entitlement to service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are related to her in-service sexual assault and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The current psychiatric disabilities were determined to be due to non-service-related causes.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is less than 60% and he cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a mood disorder, NOS, with mixed symptoms. The evidence supports that his current diagnoses are related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period, effective from February 22, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied his requests for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn, and the VA has awarded him a 70 percent rating effective December 6, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded to allow for further action and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his in-service stressors, which occurred during Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey. The Board finds that the criteria for establishing service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, heart disorder, fibromyalgia, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, cold injury residuals of the hands and feet. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Veteran's application for vocational rehabilitation and training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was denied because it was determined that achieving a vocational goal was not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities preventing him from successfully pursuing employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed stressors of sexual harassment and rape are corroborated by credible supporting evidence. The diagnosis of PTSD is related to military sexual trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least in part due to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which may be related to service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to an increased initial evaluation for PTSD prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, specifically addressing the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 6, 2009 and increased to 50 percent on or after January 27, 2011.