PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board found no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unemployable without regard to advancing age. The evidence shows his disabilities are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability but does not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling effective September 26, 2013. The Board has granted a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The Board denied an increased rating above 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of his current or previously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD secondary to military sexual trauma has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, and this was related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, and chronic pain/fatigue. The Veteran's anxiety, depression, and PTSD are related to his service. Service connection is also established for insomnia as it is related to the Veteran's service. However, the claim of reopening the previously denied claim of service connection for depression remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent since September 30, 2010. The initial rating of 50 percent from September 18, 2009 to September 30, 2010 is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for ear pain is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. The Veteran's complaints of ear pain are associated with upper respiratory disorders and have not been shown to be related to his period of service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to his withdrawal of this claim. The remaining claims regarding PTSD and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her substance abuse disorder, as well as the severity of her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran should also be provided a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty or in-service. The Veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer but not for the residuals.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The examiner will also need to review service personnel records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to determine the presence and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher disability rating for his psychiatric disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability manifested by fatigue, hypertension, or dermatitis/eczema (claimed as skin irritation on the legs and arms). His headaches are service connected as tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected migraines and anxiety disorder with PTSD features. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, claimed as a neck disorder. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 30 percent.