PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of an undiagnosed illness or a chronic disability manifested by tremors, seizures, short-term memory loss, sleep disturbance, headaches, fatigue, and ED. The diagnoses provided did not support the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), did not begin during or was otherwise caused by military service. The Board found no evidence of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since January 10, 2005. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a clarifying medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from November 7, 1996 and also denied service connection for a somatization disorder manifested by stomach symptoms secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder was increased to a 70 percent evaluation effective May 21, 2012. Prior to that date, the disability had not met criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated sleep disorder of dysomnia resulted in total social and occupational impairment from March 2, 2006. The appeal was granted for a rating in excess of 70 percent for the period from November 22, 2005 to March 2, 2006.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the Board finds that his PTSD had its onset in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety neurosis with PTSD and consideration of whether he meets the schedular criteria for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to schedule a psychiatric examination to determine the nature of his current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination for his right knee disability. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a right knee disability are pending.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding death. However, the evidence does not show that he met the requirements of a total disability rating of the required duration at the time of his death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD relates back to his time in service in Iraq.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is found to be related to his combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify stressors, conduct examinations, and determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD was granted, and he is currently receiving a 30 percent rating retroactively effective from February 28, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is granted. However, further development is required to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.