PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to his PTSD is dismissed due to the Veteran expressing intent to withdraw. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus) do not interfere with his current employment as a fraud investigator. The Board finds that the statutory requirements for entitlement to Chapter 31 benefits have not been met because the claimant is not in need of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the remaining issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of those claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder including arthritis of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine and PTSD claims are being remanded.,The Veteran asserts that his current cervical spine disorder is related to an injury in service, similar to his low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 4, 2009 for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety) is granted. The effective date will be set as the day following her service separation on September 30, 2004.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for service connection for PTSD before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination and medical opinions regarding his PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an increased initial disability rating for service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that no error of fact or law remains before it.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for a painful laceration on the top of the head, tinnitus, and depressive disorder with PTSD, and service connection for headaches prior to certification of the appeal to the Board. The claim for an initial compensable rating for oligozoospermia is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 4, 2013 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. From March 4, 2013 to February 9, 2016, the Veteran experienced reduced reliability and productivity with increased isolation and detachment from others. Since February 10, 2016, his PTSD symptoms worsened resulting in occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to February 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of CUE in the prior denial and the earliest possible effective date is April 13, 2006.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed in-service fall did not qualify as a stressor under DSM-IV criteria, and there is no credible supporting evidence of an actual in-service stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 2, 2008.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is due to his in-service military stressors and the Board finds that service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an Aid and Attendance examination to assess his need for regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, and anxiety.