PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is related to service. The secondary substance abuse disorders are also considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of a change in his hearing request. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), based on verified in-service stressors. The Veteran's right maxilla disorder is denied due to lack of current evidence. Service connection for a neck disorder was not addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service and granted. The claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were all denied initial evaluations higher than the assigned ratings. The appeal is for service connection.

The Board has found the Veteran's report of stressors while on active duty in Vietnam to be plausible and credible, and service connection for PTSD with depression is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD and left ear hearing loss were not rated higher than the assigned disability ratings, while his right ear hearing loss claim did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD during the period of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depressive disorder) and a bilateral knee condition are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and/or major depressive disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and treatment records, and for obtaining an addendum opinion from a suitably qualified VA examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and a VA evaluation by a vocational specialist.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin condition (atopic dermatitis) should be remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the presence of these conditions. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional records and providing an examination by VA psychiatrists.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from November 16, 2001 to January 22, 2010. The rating was increased to 70 percent effective November 16, 2001 and to 100 percent effective January 22, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing a detailed psychiatric evaluation to address the symptoms associated with PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, intermittent explosive disorder, bipolar type II, depressive disorder, and mood disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his reported personal trauma and assault during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claimed depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder are not service-connected as they are considered manifestations of his already service-connected PTSD.