PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective from October 12, 2005. The earliest date on which the grant of service connection could be assigned is also October 12, 2005.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and inadequate evidence to decide the stressor allegations. The right hand condition claim is deferred until the carpal tunnel syndrome claim is adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, as there is no verified stressor. The other psychiatric conditions are also denied due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since September 13, 2006. This rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in most areas.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues on the same day he received a decision from the Board, effectively dismissing the appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection, except for fibromyalgia which may be presumed as having been sustained as a result of his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death, and that the causes of death were not present during service or until years after discharge from service. The Board concluded that the cause of death was intravenous drug abuse, which is not directly related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new evidence received since the last denial supports a finding of current PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The Veteran's consistent reports about her behavior changes after the incident are considered credible, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and arthritis were denied as there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressor events or chronic symptoms, respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus claims were both denied as the symptoms did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral defective hearing and PTSD in October 2008. The Veteran's claim was reopened, but new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition. However, the Board found that he has an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression and anxiety, which is related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be the result of his active duty service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran likely has PTSD that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds there is satisfactory evidence that this condition is the result of disease or injury incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining recent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for additional development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination for PTSD and obtaining updated VA treatment records.