PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder. The Veteran's competent and credible statements regarding his symptoms during and since active service, combined with VA examination opinions linking these symptoms to service, allow for a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis abuse is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, irritability, disturbances of motivation, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent initial evaluation have been met.

The Veteran's child applied for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code. The claim was denied as the appellant did not meet any of the legal criteria for a modification or extension of his period of eligibility.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, finding that her PTSD is not related to active duty and was secondary to military sexual trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it meets the criteria for a current diagnosis, credible in-service stressor, and medical evidence linking the symptoms to the stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 19, 1980 for service connection of PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his combined service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected PTSD, as there may have been significant changes in symptoms since the previous examination. The AMC/RO must also obtain any ongoing medical records and ensure they are associated with the claims file.

The Board has directed the VA to provide a remand for additional development and examination regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined, result in such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to include Major Depressive Disorder is granted, with the PTSD being found at least as likely as not resulting from a sexual assault during service.