PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records and unobtained hospital records. The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded as more information is needed, including a diagnosis of PTSD and whether it is related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's discharge from the Oklahoma National Guard was not due to a service-connected disability, and therefore he is not eligible for Chapter 33 education benefits at the 100% rate.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The right knee disability is remanded and will be evaluated separately.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the Veteran did not meet the threshold requirement of having a diagnosed condition, and there was no competent evidence that she had PTSD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse is productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation from the date of service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for residuals of a left wrist injury, lumbar spine disability, and ankle disabilities. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have not worsened to warrant a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent prior to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate its severity, as the last evaluation was more than five years ago and there are discrepancies in diagnoses.

The appeal for the cervical spine disorder is dismissed. The PTSD and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his low back disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to procedural issues. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and then readjudicate the cases.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected deformed big toes and PTSD due to evidence indicating worsening.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction (ED) to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU). The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and ED, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, but the evidence is inadequate to determine whether she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of her service-connected conditions. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate physician regarding the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD with alcohol dependence is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The claims for duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pneumonic lung scarring are remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 16, 2010.