PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD and for an increased rating for alopecia areata prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to changes in his condition since the last examination, including an increase in PTSD symptoms and hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to inconsistencies in his medical history and diagnoses, as well as potential pre-existing conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not demonstrate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to October 5, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was primarily manifested by symptoms of impaired sleep, irritability, distressing recollections, hypervigilance, and an exaggerated startle response. The VA examiner found no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms of sleep impairment, nightmares, irritability, panic attacks, impaired impulse control, depression, anxiety, restricted range of affect, feelings of detachment, increased arousal, difficulty concentrating, avoidance, hypervigilance, and inability to establish effective relationships. The disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's PTSD has been restored to a 100% rating, effective February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are generally moderate, with occupational and social impairment due to PTSD. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and stressor events. The Veteran is presumed to have been sound at entry into service but may have developed a psychiatric disability during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a new examination by a qualified psychiatric examiner to address the claims of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, memory loss, bilateral shoulder disability, nerve damage to the diaphragm, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's current PTSD is found to be service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development of his claim, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected psychiatric disability on his employability.

The Board found no valid diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, concluding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced stressors consistent with his military service, which have been verified by VA psychiatrists who diagnosed him with PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, were not shown to be related to his service or any in-service stressor. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.