PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that new evidence supports her claim. The psychiatric disorders are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 14, 2012, and has been granted a higher rating of 70 percent since that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be established. The Veteran's alleged stressors are not consistent with his military service, and the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) do not apply.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a leg disorder, and a back disorder has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to August 17, 2010, resulted in reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to verify stressor events and obtain additional evidence. The appeal will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for further review.

The Veteran's headache disorder is etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD with depression, adjustment disorder, and anxiety. The Board has granted service connection for the headache disorder as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as well as the need to secure and review any relevant treatment records from the Anderson CBOC.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service asbestos exposure or verified stressors. The Veteran was not exposed to asbestos during his naval service, and his reported stressors are not supported by the available records.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if evidence in the Veteran's service records indicates that she may have been sexually assaulted during service and whether it caused or aggravated her schizophrenia or any other mental disorder found on examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but further development is needed due to lack of verification of the claimed stressor. The case is REMANDED for additional efforts to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors and for readjudication.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 29, 2005 for service connection of PTSD with secondary depression. The appeal was successful.

The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to stressful events in Vietnam, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting examinations for his heart disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the Veteran's service connection claim, including obtaining his Army Reserve service records and verifying any claimed stressors. The Veteran is also advised to provide specific information about his in-service experiences.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claim of an in-service assault, and thus could not establish service connection for her psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial disability rating prior to February 20, 2008. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the period from February 20, 2008.