PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for service connection for low back and psychiatric disabilities is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for service connection for low back and psychiatric disabilities (to include PTSD) is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 28, 2014, for the grant of lumbar sprain with muscle spasms and dextroscoliosis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on all of his claimed disabilities is being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations and obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 1985, and the Board finds that no effective date prior to October 31, 2013 can be granted as the evidence did not exist at the time of the original decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for updated treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has increased in severity, and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination. The issues of an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and require remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, major depression, and bipolar disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for PTSD, TDIU, and SMC have also been remanded.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The claims for neurobehavioral effects due to exposure at Camp Lejeune and any other acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 2, 2014. The Board found that the earlier effective date of June 1, 2013 should be granted due to the timely filing within one year after discharge from service. For bilateral plantar fasciitis, the Veteran's claim is remanded for further development.

The appeals seeking service connection for a right shoulder disorder and left lower extremity disorders have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD, has been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 22, 1982, for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

All service connection claims for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and SSA examination reports. The issues of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2014 are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than nightmare disorder (claimed as PTSD), was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,Service connection for Nightmare Disorder was granted. The VA examiner concluded it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s diagnosed nightmare disorder was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee medial meniscus tear, right knee disability (secondary to left knee), and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as depressive disorder NOS) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required for each issue.

The Veteran's PTSD with pseudoseizures is rated at 70% for the entire rating period beginning December 14, 2010. A separate initial 20% rating for pseudoseizures is granted but does not affect the overall PTSD rating.