PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his receipt of the maximum benefit available for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to in-service military sexual trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claim based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted because he experienced a verified in-service stressor and has been diagnosed with PTSD, which is related to his combat experience.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 2, 2009. As of April 2, 2009, the disability caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and providing an opinion on the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn in its entirety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors involving contact with deceased bodies during search and rescue missions. The AOJ must attempt to obtain rescue and recovery records from October 1977 to December 1977 while the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bitt was stationed in Valdez, Alaska.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is not related to his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and has granted service connection, finding that the Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD due to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Iraq.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. However, the case is still pending as it needs further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding the existence of in-service stressors and finds a causal nexus between those stressors and the Veteran's current PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at September 28, 2010. The Board found that the criteria for a 100 percent rating were met as of this date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been granted, with a final effective date of February 6, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA medical records.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for PTSD.,There is no evidence of a current right arm disability manifested by numbness and tingling that is related to service-connected shoulder strain.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, which includes the need for assistance with activities such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, attending to personal hygiene needs, taking medications, and protection from environmental hazards.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, and mood due to symptoms like suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The Veteran was granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from June 16, 2012 to December 10, 2014.