PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, needs further development and clarification. Specifically, efforts should be made to verify a claimed in-service stressor involving basic training and a shooting incident next to the Veteran. Additionally, current VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a prostate disability and the higher initial rating for PTSD, leaving only the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has PTSD, a gastrointestinal disability, and headaches related to her military service. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective November 30, 2007. Prior to February 6, 2009, the Veteran received a 50% disability rating for his PTSD.,From February 6, 2009 to February 26, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50%. After this period, no higher rating was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to conduct further research and verification of his claimed inservice stressors, including combat participation. The Board will then determine if service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, can be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his head injury and PTSD claims, as well as the need to issue a Statement of the Case on the issue of reopening his psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including his lumbar and cervical spine conditions, knee disorders, foot disorder, migraines, PTSD, psychiatric disorders, shoulder disorders, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, chest tightness, and chronic fatigue. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating schedules.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for dysplasia with cervical cancer and PTSD, but denied both claims on their merits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and PTSD, but denied all other issues on appeal.,A new rating decision is needed to assign a disability rating for keratosis punctata of the bilateral hands.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Dependents Educational Assistance benefits were granted effective October 23, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudo folliculitis barbae and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty, based on his reported in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current manifestations and severity of his service-connected PTSD, as well as an update on any other pertinent evidence. The AOJ will then readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective from April 3, 2006. He is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits starting from the same date.,It is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 3, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not warrant a rating higher than the current assigned ratings prior to and after July 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has worsened to the extent that it precludes him from performing his project management occupation, and he is entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between hypertension and PTSD.