PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The VA examiner found no current diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD caused or contributed to his death. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxiety and paranoia is being remanded due to the need for additional development including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to scheduling issues with a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and for adjudication of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders or respiratory disorder to his military service. The claim for interstitial fibrotic disease was denied as there was no in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD related to any in-service stressor and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD manifested with symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, impaired judgment, isolating behavior, short term memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, and irritability. The Board found the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating were met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD are related to his military service, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. The right knee condition/pain is not shown to be incurred by any incident of his active or inactive duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Vet Center records. A PTSD examination will be conducted to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, as the existing evidence may not adequately reflect the extent of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 12, 2005, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any police report or autopsy report related to the Veteran's death. The appellant will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and has determined that new evidence supports reopening the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's PTSD and mood disorder are at least as likely as not attributable to an in-service event involving military sexual trauma (MST). As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for her PTSD and TDIU. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records, review the vocational rehabilitation records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Yuma Regional Medical Center on October 6, 2011 are approved as the treatment was necessary due to his service-connected PTSD and the severity of his symptoms.