PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and mood disorder NOS.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a VA psychiatric examination for the Veteran's PTSD. The appeal will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the other issues are either not granted or do not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for PTSD is being remanded to allow for a Board video conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and the lumbar spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment. The TDIU claim will also be initially adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, and adjudicating both service connection and temporary total evaluation claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining more information about the Veteran's in-service stressors and seeking out relevant records from his unit.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the time period on appeal, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and resolved doubt in favor of the Veteran's assertions regarding her current symptoms. The appeal is dismissed as the appellant withdrew her claims for fibromyalgia, eczema, skin rash, hair loss (due to stress), residuals of animal bite, and allergies.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and heart disease. The Board has decided the case should be remanded for further development, including VA examinations and clarification of outstanding private medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his PTSD, as his testimony suggests a worsening of symptoms since the last evaluation. The case will be returned to the RO after this examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD was granted, and the effective date is set at April 27, 2009.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and a respiratory disorder including COPD. The Veteran did not have these conditions during or within one year after his service, and there is insufficient credible evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing with the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent for PTSD. The hearing loss claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his experiences during active service and grants service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.