PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. A psychiatric examination is also needed due to changes in regulations regarding PTSD.

The Board has determined that the termination of VA disability compensation benefits due to fugitive felon status was improper and has restored these benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and GAD due to a personal assault during active duty. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to this in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service personnel records and a request for additional information regarding participation in an alcohol and drug treatment program. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending, as does his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and dysthymic disorder is granted as his psychiatric disorders are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and compliance with the VCAA's duty to notify and assist. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated as part of this process.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, specifically a psychiatric disorder manifested by adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's current functioning is similar to that noted in service, with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mistrust related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently demonstrated PTSD is likely due to his in-service stressors while serving in Vietnam, and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has ordered further development due to the possibility of outstanding SSA disability records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran is service-connected for PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, which are rated at 50% combined. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his mental health condition and diabetes, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has ordered a remand due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case will be returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, and to determine its impact on his occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for migraine headaches and an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. She also withdrew her appeal regarding TDIU prior to December 5, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, judgment, thinking, or mood prior to July 22, 2013. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to issues with credibility and lack of contemporaneous medical records. The Veteran's allegation of an in-service personal assault is now considered credible, and a VA examination is required to determine if any psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records. A new examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include generalized anxiety disorder), and a bilateral ankle disability. The evidence did not support these claims as there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor, no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include generalized anxiety disorder, which could be related to active service, and no relationship between the claimed disabilities and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The claim for hepatitis C remains pending and will be remanded for further development.