PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headache disability does not cause or aggravate his currently diagnosed hypertension. The claims for PTSD and MDD as secondary to the service-connected posttraumatic headache disability are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 19, 2007. The current rating is the maximum available under the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and rhinitis. Service connection was denied for a right knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and the Veteran's alcohol abuse is not service-connected. The appeal for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 9, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with cognitive and mood disorder features, migraines, and traumatic brain disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues are whether he can establish service connection for congestive heart failure and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left shoulder disability are denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains April 8, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and her service stressors are related to combat exposure during service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran currently has an Axis I diagnosis of PTSD and if so, whether it is related to any in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim will also be considered under the amended 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) due to his claimed stressor involving witnessing multiple dead soldiers while on duty.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation for service-connected PTSD with cognitive disorder from 50% to 30%, effective April 6, 2009, was proper. The Veteran's cognitive impairment symptoms were considered as part of his TBI residuals and assigned a single 70% rating.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD diagnosed at any time, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that a low back disability had its onset in active service or is otherwise related to active service.,Regarding her claimed acquired mental disorder (claimed as emotional condition) other than PTSD, including depression, there was no diagnosis provided by VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is April 12, 2007.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder or a link between any diagnosed condition and his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the schedular criteria. The evidence shows significant impairment in occupational and social functioning due to symptoms such as anxiety, suicidal ideation, depression, nightmares, sleep disturbances, anger, irritability, avoidance, isolative behavior, and panic attacks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examination reports. The case will be readjudicated after these materials are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active military service.