PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination by a gastroenterologist to clarify the nature of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability. The PTSD rating issue also requires clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is linked to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to a confirmed in-service stressor remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 27, 2001. The effective date for the award of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also set at March 27, 2001.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety reaction with PTSD and somatizing personality manifestations, more nearly approximated considerable impairment in the ability to establish or maintain effective relationships and considerable industrial impairment from October 2, 1996. From October 1, 1998, it more nearly approximated severe impairment in the ability to establish or maintain effective relationships and severe impairment in the ability to obtain or retain employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to PTSD was also granted. The effective date of these decisions is December 31, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD under DSM-IV and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities prior to October 5, 2009, was 40 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as a need for additional development of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through their authorized representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, nightmare disorder, depression, insomnia, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the grant of service connection, and there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as PTSD. The Veteran's in-service injury to his front teeth is considered a dental trauma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received to support his claim. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge was not honored due to her failure to report. The case is now REMANDED and the Veteran should be given an additional opportunity to report to her requested hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel Board hearing. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for PTSD remains on hold.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination under DSM-V criteria and clarification of the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The current evaluation of 70 percent remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding personnel records and private treatment records.