PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability, however diagnosed. The claim for PTSD is reopened.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for white matter lesions on the brain. The remaining issues of a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, which is related to his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claim of in-service sexual assault and PTSD, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The claims will be adjudicated again in light of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is granted.,The claims for mesothelioma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neuropathy of both lower extremities, hypertension, and eye disability are being REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board finds that a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering a claim for TDIU based on PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering a claim for TDIU based on PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including consideration of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder as part of the claim. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

For the entire initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to symptoms like suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); or an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and a need for further examination by a different examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of adjustment disorder and anxiety disorder are related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to an in-service stressor, which is considered credible based on corroborating evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD did not cause an occasional decrease in work efficiency or intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks during the period from May 20, 2005 through April 30, 2009. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted for this time frame.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 1, 2009. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to that date and also denied TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether any psychiatric disorder identified during the pendency of the claim is related to active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the VA examiner confirmed that the Veteran experienced sufficient stressors related to fear of hostile military activity during his service aboard USS Denver.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation and proper accounting for certain regulations, and a need for additional development including medical examinations.