PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for chills and night sweats is denied as new and material evidence was not presented.,Service connection for numbness of the arms and hands cannot be established as there is no evidence showing onset during service or a link to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise, showing that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD due to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to a 90% rating effective September 1, 2007. As his disability was permanent and total as of that date, he is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, but granted a 40% rating for BPH from June 6, 2012. The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, is related to his in-service stressors. The issue of an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran has been found to have PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma, harassment, and personal assaults. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for further research on a reported stressor and for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), to include as due to exposure to herbicides, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling from May 28, 2008 through May 31, 2011.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim to encompass all currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The VA examiner will be asked to determine if any of the claimed stressors are corroborated and whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. If so, the examiner should provide an opinion on whether the symptoms are related to a specific in-service stressor or fear associated with hostile military activity.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board found that the appellant's psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The back disability issue is addressed in a separate remand.