PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression with anti-social personality disorder, on the basis of substitution. The evidence is approximately balanced as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disability was related to his active service.

The Board has found procedural errors and has ordered the Veteran's private medical records, VA treatment records, and service treatment records to be obtained. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, moderate recurrent major depression, insomnia, and psychotic disorder NOS is remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of verification of stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 25, 2018 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Appellant filed her intent to file a claim on April 25, 2018 and submitted a formal application within one year.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The Board will remand the case for a new VA examination to address the credibility of the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for left hand nerve damage, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, and acid reflux due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and colon cancer are all found to be related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for PTSD, mechanical low back pain, arthritis, and left hand injury. However, further development is needed as new VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for clarification regarding the appellant's claimed cervical radiculopathy, headaches, and tinnitus. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his symptoms are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal should be re-docketed under the Legacy system and his February 2019 VA Form 10182 is accepted as a timely NOD for the issues on appeal. The issues will be readjudicated, and if adverse to the Veteran, he will be given an opportunity to perfect his appeal by filing a VA Form 9.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and insomnia, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service and that there is a reasonable possibility of a link between his current symptoms and these stressors. The decision also resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination to confirm any psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment from August 29, 2013 to March 2, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claim was filed on April 26, 2018, and therefore, the earliest possible effective date is April 26, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for COPD, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection under the applicable regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person throughout the period on appeal, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and barosinusitis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence may be considered and the Veteran's request for a hearing is withdrawn. The case is on appeal from an April 2017 rating decision, where PTSD was rated at 30 percent. A September 2018 rating decision increased the PTSD rating to 50 percent effective August 26, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling since that date.