PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD during or after service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and that his bipolar disorder is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA outpatient treatment records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a video conference with the appellant. The veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board/videoconference hearing. The TDIU rating issue is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating matter and must be deferred until that matter is resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, prevented him from engaging in heavy physical or strenuous manual labor but did not prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of injury incurred during his military service, including in relation to his combat tour in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or exposure to trauma. The service-connected mandible fracture has also not resulted in a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and rating assignment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right ankle fracture, and third degree burns) are rated at 80 percent combined. The Board finds that these disabilities render the Veteran incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 31, 2010. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short-and long-term memory; impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety/depressive disorders, are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA medical records and for a new psychiatric examination. The claim will be decided on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 1, 2010. The VA examiner found that the current symptoms did not interfere with occupational and social functioning.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine if any service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death, and whether they were principal or contributory causes of his death.