PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral peripheral neuropathy were remanded for further evaluation. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the rating of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains open.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DJD of the lumbar spine (prior to July 14, 2016), PTSD from July 2, 2014 to April 10, 2018, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual unemployability prior to April 10, 2018 were all granted. The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent since July 14, 2016.

The appellant has withdrawn all appeals, including those for service connection and evaluations of the veteran's conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of combat or hostile military activity during his service in Thailand. The Veteran's reports were largely not credible and lacked corroborative evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD as the Veteran did not meet diagnostic criteria and there is no probative evidence linking his current symptomatology to a claimed in-service stressor. The cause of death claim is remanded due to outstanding medical records that may provide information on the Veteran's stomach cancer.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to conduct a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD no longer warrants a 100% evaluation, as there is evidence of improvement in his condition and ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 50 percent rating prior to March 8, 2011 and at a 70 percent rating from March 8, 2011. The decision is granted for the higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination, as the Veteran was unable to attend his scheduled examination. The examiner will assess any acquired psychiatric disorders and determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to December 11, 2015 and from March 1, 2016. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety), a gastrointestinal disability (including gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)), and insomnia due to outstanding records from service treatment and personnel records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression, is rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to July 7, 2016. The claim for a higher than 70 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from August 20, 2011 to July 25, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased rating. The heart disability issue is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was received by VA on September 30, 2011. The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 30, 2011 for the award of TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. The case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding PTSD and any other psychiatric disorders.