PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to military sexual trauma (MST), including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and Major depressive disorder (MDD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for liver damage, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist, degenerative disease of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, chronic cervical strain with radiculopathy/neuropathy, lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD have all been denied. The Veteran's claim for prurigo is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not improved since January 25, 2011, and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and nervous disorder) due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the cases of TBI and migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service, but the preponderance of evidence does not support a nexus between his hypertension and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Board found that new evidence supported the reopening of his previously denied claims and established service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. A VA examination is needed for a proper determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI residuals and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to conflicting evidence and the need for further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for TBI was dismissed. His claims for liver condition, left hip strain, right hip strain, and PTSD were all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has the educational and vocational background to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest possible level (100%) for the entire appeal period, from November 24, 1981 to June 15, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and he is granted service connection for urinary frequency as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased initial evaluations of PTSD with adjustment disorder unspecific and lumbar and coccyx IVDS, as well as the claim to reopen service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the severity of his hearing loss and to determine if he has a current disability manifested by dizziness and imbalance. The VA will also conduct an examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of any PTSD and/or depression.,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he has a current disability manifested by dizziness and imbalance, whether it is related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, or other nonservice-connected disabilities. The VA will also conduct an examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of any PTSD.,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he has a current disability manifested by PTSD and/or depression, whether it is related to his military service, and if so, whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA will also conduct an examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he has a current disability manifested by depression, whether it is related to his military service, or if so, whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA will also conduct an examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI with headaches and PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issues are being deferred pending additional development including new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of temporomandibular joint dysfunction is denied, and his posttraumatic stress disorder rating is granted at a 50% level. The issues of service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy and left upper extremity neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.