PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms since May 14, 2009, warranted a 70 percent rating due to significant impairment in most areas such as work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, bilateral knee strain with arthritis, and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but not total. The current 50 percent rating is inadequate to reflect the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood (including complaints of insomnia) was granted, and an effective date of April 5, 2010 was assigned. The Veteran also received a separate 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability secondary to left leg length discrepancy.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and corroborating the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is therefore REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for left knee, left ankle, and left thigh disabilities. The claim of PTSD was reopened based on new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the diagnosis and etiology of his psychiatric disorders. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD was caused by active military service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus and any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, are found to be related to service. The Board has granted the claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, had its onset during his period of service and is related to his military experience. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to include obtaining updated VA treatment records, corroborative evidence of alleged stressor events in service, and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as consideration of whether he is unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested primarily by depression, sleep impairments, nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and memory loss. The disability results in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks but satisfactory general functioning at all points pertinent to this appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 29, 2007, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing VA psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unverified stressors and need for further medical examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on new evidence.