PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and history of myocardial infarction, are found to be so severe that they preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD based on military sexual trauma (MST) during her active duty. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus as a result of exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted effective from August 14, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include seeking an increased evaluation for PTSD, service connection for lung disorder and chloracne due to burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 29, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, considering the nonservice-connected disabilities and previous unemployability status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD or bilateral hearing loss due to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while her claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to personal trauma) was granted. The decision is considered mixed because one issue was granted and the other was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder, and a left ankle disorder. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus and that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed left ankle disorder during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining USPS employment records from OPM.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that new evidence supports reopening the claim. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his alleged military sexual trauma.

The Board has ordered the RO/AMC to provide the Veteran with all outstanding, necessary notice in regard to his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed after any additional development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and attempting to obtain disability retirement records from the State of California. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are being examined by a VA examiner to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right fourth toe fracture, and postoperative excision of lesion scar of the left chest were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is part of a higher rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as sleep impairment with nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, anxiety, and some occupational impairment. The rating reflects the Veteran's GAF score ranging from 54 to 55.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records from VA facilities.