PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not provide a diagnosis of PTSD from a VA psychiatrist or psychologist, which is required by the regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and marital counseling records, as well as to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case for the TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The claims of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, has withdrawn it.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examiner is requested to review all pertinent records associated with the claims file and provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders had their onset during service or are causally related to his active service, and if any of these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as it is no longer in appellate status due to a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing and his withdrawal of previous requests. The case is now pending with instructions to schedule a hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service and VA treatment records, securing SSA disability benefits determination, and arranging a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as her current diagnosis of PTSD is related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epithelial exfoliation and trigeminal neuralgia were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing the Veteran witnessed events in Vietnam, which is considered an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and hearing loss were not reopened as the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are related to an in-service personal assault. After resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, as these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and private treatment records from O. Truong and C. Stewart, as well as complete authorization forms for these providers.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for a review examination, completion of VA Form 21-8940, and consideration of his service-connected PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with dysthymia was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 29, 2014. From that date onwards, the impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and OCD with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction related to the Veteran's in-service personal assaults.,Service connection is established for PTSD and OCD based on a diagnosis related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding an increased rating for PTSD and the need to obtain an addendum opinion on whether benign prostatic hypertrophy is related to Agent Orange exposure.