PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of combat experience, and there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Sleep apnea and hypertension were also not shown to be related to service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by active service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA laws.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, thus the initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD remains valid.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychosis is reasonably shown to have first become manifest during service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating of PTSD, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing. The appellant's claims of service connection for sinus disability, right knee disability, and PTSD remain in appellate status.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher initial rating for PTSD, for a TDIU and for service connection for hepatitis C prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his service-connected PTSD and CAD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Depression, is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation; impaired short and long-term memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; suspiciousness; anxiety; and chronic sleep impairment. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability related to service, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are issues with the current evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed service connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Thailand. Service connection for PTSD has been established based on credible supporting evidence of a claimed stressor that occurred while the Veteran served at Ubon RTAFB.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and ADHD are service-connected, while his Major Depressive Disorder is not. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and a need for an updated Social Industrial Survey.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, panic attacks more than once per week, impaired short- and long-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, irritability, anger, nightmares, flashbacks, exaggerated startle response, avoidance, isolative behavior, mood swings, and GAF scores ranging from 57 to 70. The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, or total social and occupational impairment from September 1, 2011. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 100 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal, based on symptoms including chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, suspiciousness, anxiety and depression, mood difficulties, irritability, obsessional rituals, intrusive memories, avoidance behavior, suicidal ideation, speech intermittently illogical, near continuous panic attacks, difficulty adapting to stressful situations, and difficulty establishing and maintaining family and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.