PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, sinusitis, stomach disorder (GERD), and fibromyalgia are all found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are also found to be service-connected as secondary to the fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined service-connected disability evaluation of 90 percent effectively precludes him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, knee disabilities, tinnitus, and left shoulder residuals. TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is not warranted due to lack of credible supporting evidence for a stressor event. The issue of service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service is considered to meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA healthcare benefits due to her having three compensable service-connected disabilities, which exempts her from the minimum period of active duty requirement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, linked to military sexual trauma. The VA will need to obtain additional treatment records from the Tucson VA facility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, were incurred during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new or addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and addressing whether he meets the diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and schizophrenia, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a diagnosis of PTSD, and the VA examinations indicated a non-specific 'psychotic disorder' rather than PTSD. Service connection was denied as there is no direct link between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of his PTSD, and for obtaining all outstanding VA treatment records since October 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to clarify all current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has granted increased ratings for PTSD, TBI, and IBS/GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is March 26, 2007, as this was the date of receipt of the Veteran's original claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 16, 2005 and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's attorney argued that earlier effective dates should be granted due to new service records received in 2010, but the Board found these records did not form the basis for reopening the claim or granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing conducted by a former member of the Board. The Veteran is entitled to a new hearing before a current member of the Board.