PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is found to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied due to failure to report for a VA examination, while his claim of new and material evidence is granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and review of service personnel records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an outstanding request for a hearing before the Board. The case will be returned to the Board after the requested hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to March 24, 2009. The Board found that the disability more nearly approximated a 70% rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since September 16, 2011. The RO has granted a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent from September 16, 2002 to September 28, 2009. From September 29, 2009 to May 18, 2012, the rating was increased to 50 percent. Since May 19, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 26, 2005 was granted, with service connection for PTSD and a major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse being assigned from that date.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which he claims is due to a sexual assault during his active military service. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD was related to his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The VA examiners are asked to provide a rationale for their opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Veteran has variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, the symptoms of which are related to his active service, but already considered part of his service-connected PTSD and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective March 18, 2011. The rating reflects the severity of his condition as per the General Rating Formula for evaluating psychiatric disabilities other than eating disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The case will also be adjudicated again to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD and whether TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms were adequately described by the established schedular criteria and did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating. However, it was determined that the Veteran would retire early from his employment due to PTSD, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and COPD contributed substantially or materially to his death, granting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.