PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing and for the need to schedule another hearing. The claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and low back disorder as well as the claim for special monthly compensation are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of all diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran contends that he has PTSD or another psychiatric disorder as a result of his Navy service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be considered in light of the amended PTSD regulation.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has expanded the issue to include all diagnosed psychiatric conditions, and a VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The Veteran's claim for PTSD will be evaluated based on the criteria set forth in the DSM-IV.

The Veteran's COPD and pulmonary emphysema were not etiologically related to active service. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 19, 2013 and increased to 50 percent beginning June 19, 2013.,PTSD symptoms included nightmares, anxiety, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, flashbacks, poor concentration, disturbances of mood and motivation, and panic attacks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since February 22, 2000. The Board granted a higher rating of 70% effective from that date, finding the condition to be characterized by significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, at any time during the pendency of the claim. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's 10 percent rating for a left thumb scar from a tendon repair was not properly reduced.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to service. The examiner will review the Veteran's private medical records and provide opinions on whether his diagnoses meet the criteria for PTSD under DSM-V standards and if any other diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) with the Air National Guard. A VA examination is also required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective October 4, 2004. The decision found that new and material evidence had been submitted showing a current diagnosis of PTSD and the occurrence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with insomnia. The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the condition had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD.