PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and mood disorder due to the lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of her symptoms as described by VA examiners. The Board has found that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for clarification of speech test used by private audiologists and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the impact of his service-connected conditions and nonservice-connected substance abuse disorder on his employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran continues to experience symptoms consistent with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, but not to the extent that would warrant a 100% rating. The Veteran's bipolar disorder also contributed to her overall disability picture.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 12, 2015. The Board finds that the symptoms of his PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from March 31, 2009 onwards. The initial noncompensable rating prior to that date is considered part of the same appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to his in-service stressors, which include fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 15, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center were denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, and back disability are found to be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. Service connection is granted for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Formula for Rating Mental Disorders. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected PTSD throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to address the impact of his alcohol dependence on his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder due to any incident of his active duty service and denied all other claims for service connection.