PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration, requiring VA to secure updated medical records and arrange for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any disabilities claimed.

The Veteran's initial rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is also denied, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and comprehensive medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a right knee cap disability, left big toe fracture, bullet fragments in the buttocks, left eye disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, allergies, heart disability, partial removal of sphincter muscle, sterility, and PTSD as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD and anxiety is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the current diagnosis of PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed condition is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination and additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct, thus not finding a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder due to conflicting diagnoses, lack of clarity in the Veteran's history, and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder, to include PTSD and Major Depression Disorder. The Veteran's PTSD is based on an established in-service stressor involving combat-related sniper attacks during his Vietnam service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The appeals are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since October 21, 2011 and denied for a higher rating during the period between that date and April 8, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 23, 2011. The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied, and his TDIU claim is also denied. Both issues are remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), left hip disability, and TDIU. The decision also requires a new VA examination for each of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% effective November 13, 2014. The Board found that the March 2015 rating decision did not become final due to VA treatment records submitted within one year of the decision and not evaluated for new and material evidence. An earlier effective date of November 13, 2014 is granted for PTSD. Mechanical backache remains remanded as a new examination is needed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to PTSD, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the period beginning on May 2, 2015. The symptoms include nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, anger, avoidance, impaired concentration, hypervigilance, and issues with trusting others.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and a 100% rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development.