PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a new psychiatric examination, and proper VCAA notice regarding the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 27, 2011. The appeal for higher initial ratings and TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying claimed stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The appeal is not about service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, right fourth metatarsal fracture, and right auricle cyst caused his death. The decision is based on the merits of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as her allegations of an in-service stressor were not credible, and there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The claim for a left ankle disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, and/or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board finds that he is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella, left knee effusion, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Veteran's lumbar strain/myositis, left shoulder degenerative joint disease with impingement, and plantar fascia fibromatosis were all rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to December 18, 2010, warranting a 50% disability rating. After the December 18, 2010 VA examination, his symptoms worsened, leading to a 70% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and thus grants a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The other issues were also denied as there was no diagnosis of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for an opinion on whether his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service, specifically the alleged military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The initial evaluation of PTSD was granted at a 50% rating, effective from May 20, 2009. A subsequent increased evaluation to 70% was granted since November 17, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD is associated with his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam, while his hypertension is related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is related to her military service. The in-service stressor could not be verified and there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. The effective date of this rating remains to be determined.