PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the character of the appellant's discharge is not a bar to VA benefits, other than medical care under Chapter 17. The appeal for service connection and pension claims will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 1, 2007. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as sleep impairment, mild memory impairment, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behavior, diminished interest or participation in activities, feelings of detachment, irritability, outbursts of anger, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, noise sensitivity, nervousness, inability to concentrate, overwhelming sense of loss and grief, and feelings of guilt.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment which are most nearly approximated by no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The criteria for a 30 percent disability rating have been met through November 10, 2005.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Provide the Veteran and his representative appropriate notice regarding the TDIU claim. (2) Obtain names and addresses of all medical providers who treated the Veteran for PTSD since 2009. After securing the necessary release, all reasonable attempts should be made to obtain such records. (3) Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity of his PTSD. The claims folder and copies of any pertinent records should be made available to the examiner for review. (4) If and only if the VA examiner determines that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable, consider whether referral of the case to VA's Director of C&P for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) is appropriate. (5) After completing the above, and any other development as may be indicated by any response received as a consequence of the actions taken in the preceding paragraphs, the Veteran's claim should be readjudicated based on the entirety of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify his diagnosis and obtain an adequate etiological opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been withdrawn. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability and whether the claimed in-service stressors are sufficient to cause PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to credible evidence of an in-service stressor and a medical opinion linking the current symptoms to that stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing and further development due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of PTSD, and thus the claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric, diabetes, neuropathy, hypertension, and scarring conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.125(a). Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records. The issues on appeal include evaluations for CRSD, PTSD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and a right ankle scar.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, NOS, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address medical nexus questions.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not attributable to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are linked to his military service.