PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD disability was manifested by sleep disturbance, irritability, feelings of detachment from family, anxiety and panic-like symptoms, flat affect, and social avoidance but generally getting along well with family, co-workers, and supervisors and generally performing well on the job. For the portion of the rating period prior to August 16, 2012, a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's breast reduction residual surgical scars are found to be related to her active service, and she is granted service connection for these conditions. The claim for PTSD remains pending as the Board finds that additional development is needed.

The Board denied the motion for clear and unmistakable error regarding an effective date of November 28, 2001 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran's condition was found to warrant a 30% disability prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition during service or within one year post-service. His claim for Depressive Disorder NOS was granted based on a VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with depression prior to November 6, 2009 and thereafter has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to November 6, 2009 has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service connected, but his PTSD claim was denied as the symptoms do not meet DSM-IV criteria. The left hip disability and other conditions are not service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case will be returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss has been reopened, but the claims are still pending. The Veteran needs to provide verification of his claimed stressors for PTSD and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his left fibula fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, joint disease, and a right hip disability. The evidence did not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

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

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 regarding his claimed stressors and potential verification of his service aboard USS DUBUQUE in May 1975.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD due to his combat experience in Vietnam. His symptoms include depression and adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted as service-connected. The left hip disorder is also granted as service-connected, but the issue of secondary service connection to a service-connected disability remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, which cannot be conducted at the Newark RO as he is incarcerated. The case will be returned to the Board after efforts are made to arrange an appropriate hearing.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for another VA PTSD examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board also granted the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and residual scarring associated with a history of collapsed left lung.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and obtaining any outstanding treatment records from the Columbia VA Medical Center.