PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to July 1, 2003 and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD. The decision is based on the lack of inservice treatment records and current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a mental health condition (claimed as anxiety and depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA opinion.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. Additionally, new and material evidence claims for service connection for back problems with bulging discs and residuals of an injury to the chest are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence was manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks more than once a week, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances. The Veteran is not precluded from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service in Iraq. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between current PTSD symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including sleep impairment, concentration difficulties, social isolation and avoidance of people, depression, feelings of detachment or emotional numbing, intermittent impaired judgment, impaired impulse control and memory impairment, result in no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the AOJ for additional development of his claims, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission and hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and remanded the case to consider additional evidence. The TDIU claim is also being considered as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was characterized by occupational and social impairment, resulting in a 30 percent disability rating. The TBI residuals were also considered, but did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service connected disability prior to May 3, 2007. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma during her service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and esophageal disability. The issues of service connection are also pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric conditions. The AOJ has ordered additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his left thumb injury and left eye injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining service personnel records, updated treatment records, and a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his respiratory disability and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment, specifically reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms include nightmares, intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbance, controlled irritability, anxiety, panic attacks more than once a week, oversight at work on complex tasks, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships outside of work and family situations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is related to his active duty service and grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors and obtain treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disturbance, as well as TDIU, are pending.