PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for further clarification of psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and PTSD are remanded due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran claims these conditions are related to his service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there was Federal active duty service during certain periods and to reconsider the Veteran's claim for PTSD based on all evidence of record, including relaxed evidentiary standards.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors could not be verified.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of CFS, and his symptoms are attributable to other conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and depression.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete delivery of documents and a hearing request. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations for his acquired psychiatric conditions, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is rated at 70 percent from October 27, 2014. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from August 1, 2011 to March 3, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent from March 4, 2013 to October 26, 2014 is denied. The appeal for a TDIU prior to March 4, 2013 and from November 10, 2014 is also denied.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to July 30, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that his PTSD alone prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a sleep disorder. The Board found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right hand disability do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, nor are his nonservice-connected disabilities sufficient for a permanent and total rating prior to September 26, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal of an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed.,An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for IHD is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for valvular heart disease, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient examination addressing these conditions.,The Veteran's skin condition remains under appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors. The Veteran must be afforded a VA examination, and his submitted news articles may help corroborate his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a clear indication of whether he currently meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. The issues of service connection for acute respiratory disorder, esophageal cancer, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, HIV, and narcolepsy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment prior to August 27, 2011.,For the period from April 4, 2011 to August 27, 2011, the evidence is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been denied, and his case is remanded due to the need for additional development related to both his PTSD and G-6PD claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions should be remanded to allow for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's DIC claim is denied as he did not meet the criteria for receiving benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, specifically due to his service-connected disability not being rated at a 100% level for at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The cause of death issue has been remanded.