PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available rating (70%) and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, varicose veins, and shingles. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient clarification of the symptomatology of his sleep apnea prior and after aggravation by his deviated nasal septum, as well as a request for outpatient treatment records from Brooke Army Medical Center dating back to 1984.

The Veteran's psychiatric evaluation on June 13, 2011 was not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment as defined under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right foot injuries, contributed to his death from possible pulmonary embolism. The Board resolves doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, but granted his claim for an effective date earlier than March 12, 1998 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis was diagnosed within one year of separation from service and manifested to a degree of at least 10 percent during that time.,The weight of the competent evidence of record demonstrates that the Veteran has been diagnosed with a psychiatric disability under the DSM-IV criteria due to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's cause of death, septic shock, is found to be related to his active military service due to PTSD resulting from combat experiences. The Board also finds that alcoholism, which was secondary to PTSD, contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD with depression has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and cold injury residuals is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU rating. The issue of whether hypertension is secondary to PTSD or directly related to service will be addressed in further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective April 24, 2010, based on severe social, personal, and occupational impairment.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, which are at least as likely as not due to service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's initial claim for service connection encompassed both PTSD and TBI, and thus an effective date of August 31, 2007 is granted for the grant of service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims, including a PTSD examination, knee examinations, and collective extraschedular review.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to improper notification and development of the claim for DIC benefits, including service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant must be informed about proper requirements to qualify as a parent claimant.