PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, tinnitus, heart disease, PTSD, arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a link between each condition and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is now reviewed on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma with tooth loss and psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision found that new and material evidence had been received, but did not grant service connection due to lack of a qualifying basis in service records.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and instructed that they be readjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, requires further development due to the need for an examination to determine if his current PTSD is related to a specific stressor during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a loss of the claims file, and additional development is needed including obtaining medical records from service and VA. The cause-of-death claim will be evaluated based on whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of the revised regulations concerning PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including high frequency hearing loss, PTSD, neck scar, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain has been granted a higher rating, and he is now receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The case is therefore REMANDED for a VA examination and review of relevant medical records.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including another VA examination and obtaining missing legal documents.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing SSA records and incomplete medical evidence. The Veteran's claim for TDIU will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant documents.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and his claim for service connection is granted. His claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for a bilateral foot disability or low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 10 percent, and the Board has now increased it to 30 percent effective September 19, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused some depression, anxiety and occasional sleep disturbance for the period from April 27, 2007, to October 21, 2010. For the period from October 22, 2010, to April 26, 2012, his PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment productive of no more than reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as disturbances of motivation and mood and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. Since April 27, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as family relations, judgment, thinking and mood.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for panic disorder with moderate agoraphobia, depression, and PTSD was dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to its decision.