PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening any of the Veteran's service connection claims, as it is either cumulative or redundant and does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's total rating for PTSD was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective June 1, 2009. The Board has determined that this reduction was not in accordance with the applicable regulations and thus the previous 100% rating is restored.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder. The other issues were either denied or not addressed in detail.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a mental disorder manifested by anxiety and depression, as well as service connection for a chronic multisymptom illness with headaches, IBS, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and lack of energy related to the Veteran's Persian Gulf War service. Service connection was denied for blindness and cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including panic attacks and memory loss, have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since November 6, 2008. However, the condition has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outdated VA examination records and the need for a new evaluation of his PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain his complete service personnel records and in-service mental health treatment records, as well as confirm the reported stressors. A VA examination is also needed to determine whether an acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service and if a neck disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The case will be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further examination. The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, but an earlier effective date is sought. Service connection for hypertension is also at issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of her service-connected psychological disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disturbance and alcohol abuse was initially rated at 30 percent disabling from December 29, 2009 to November 1, 2010. From November 2, 2010 onwards, the rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, a cervical spine condition, post-traumatic stress disorder, shin splints (left and right lower extremities), and a respiratory condition. The Veteran did not have any current diagnoses of these conditions at the time of his VA examinations or during his hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been expanded to include any acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded due to insufficient information in the record regarding her stressors and because of additional evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine for an 80 percent rating and render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.