PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if she warrants an increased rating. Additionally, her TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated evidence and notification of what is required to substantiate this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder due to incomplete or insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations using DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, residuals of a head injury, and PTSD due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records, including prison medical records. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA is required to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors and provide an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease was granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to June 30, 2017 and a 60 percent rating from that date. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective June 29, 2017.,Entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 29, 2017 was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for a new PTSD examination.

The Board granted an effective date of May 20, 2010 for the award of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to Military Sexual Trauma. This decision is based on newly received service treatment records that were not available at the time of a previous denial in December 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as there is insufficient evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 24, 2014. The Board has found that a remand for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his PTSD is necessary due to the passage of time and evidence of increased symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS are rated at 70 percent. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a March 2015 VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and undergo a new examination for clarification.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the claimant did not provide credible supporting evidence for his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from May 27, 2010, and at 70 percent from September 15, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, hypertension, PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and rectal fistula were denied. The claim for psychiatric disability was not addressed as it was presumed to be PTSD.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding right shoulder disability, TBI, right leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).