PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted service connection. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether his current acquired psychiatric disorders, including right eye and left eye disorders, spastic dysphonia, and GERD are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, high frequency hearing loss, and right ear tinnitus do not render him unemployable due to his disabilities. The VA examinations indicate that the Veteran is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent, effective from June 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records and verifying the Veteran's stressor, is needed to properly adjudicate her claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The case is now REMANDED.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 2005. The VA examination and outpatient treatment records indicate that the Veteran experiences symptoms such as sleep impairment, increased startle response, impaired concentration, anxiety, depression, isolation, nightmares, avoidance, and flashbacks. These symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment comparable to no worse than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the claims seeking higher initial ratings for PTSD and disabilities of the low back, left knee, right ankle, and right wrist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD, but found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability related to service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is less than the 60% required for a TDIU, and his service-connected PTSD and hearing loss do not render him unemployable.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequate April 2010 VA opinion. The case will be further adjudicated after obtaining a new VA examination.