PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's dissociative identity disorder and PTSD are being evaluated in relation to an alleged in-service personal assault.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorder, began during service due to his inability to perform parachute jumps as a result of physical ailments in service. The diagnosis is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination, as well as development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of a stressor and an examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 29, 2011. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. Therefore, the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU are not met.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and obtain his service personnel records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 2009, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 19, 2008.,The Veteran is granted TDIU as of February 19, 2008.,SMC is resumed as of October 2, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and considering the new medical information. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's ex-wife (appellant) is contesting the termination of special apportionment of the Veteran's benefits on behalf of their daughter, A. J., and whether the termination was valid. The case must be remanded to ensure all contested claim procedures have been followed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and pulmonary disorder, but denied them on the merits. The psychiatric claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a skin disorder have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression will be reconsidered based on this new information.