PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board also found that there is at least equipoise of evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are related to his in-service sexual assault, which aggravated a pre-existing condition.

The Board found no current diagnosis for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder, Insomnia, was not considered due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, effective from January 26, 2010. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his claim is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection and rated at 10 percent.,Since February 15, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant impairment in work, social interactions, and family relations. The Board has determined that the current rating of 70% adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is service-connected due to aggravation of a pre-existing severe personality disorder during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is related to his service, and thus service connection for MDD is granted. The claim for PTSD was not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed stressors and the diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including adjudication of service connection claims and provision of an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination to address whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to service and any in-service personal assault. The examiner should also consider the impact of the Veteran's psychiatric disability on his use of intravenous street drugs.

The Board has found that there is no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not shown to be related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors. The diagnoses of PTSD were based on uncorroborated stressors.

The Board has ordered the case remanded for additional development due to conflicting VA medical opinions regarding PTSD and insufficient review of all pertinent evidence, including private hospital records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with her headache issue.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment or additional limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left eye disability is currently rated at 10 percent, with visual acuity of 20/25. The current rating adequately reflects his vision loss and correction by glasses.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his experiences during his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 23, 2000. The Board found that the functional impairment due to PTSD most closely approximates a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.