PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection is also remanded for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative lumbar spine disorder, left hip degenerative joint disease, and a left foot condition secondary to low back/hip. The acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) claim was not addressed as it is considered separate from the other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle disability, headache condition, and PTSD. The decision also noted that additional issues related to these conditions were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a lower gastrointestinal disorder, an upper gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressors have been corroborated and he has a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since closing his business in 2011, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury (including migraine headaches) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been reopened. The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, bowel impairment, pelvic inflammatory disease, and bilateral knee disabilities, are being evaluated for their impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living and require assistance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disturbances, diabetes mellitus type II, headache disability, sleep disability (claimed as sleep disturbances), peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions or they were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent prior to April 20, 2009 and has not warranted a higher rating since then.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected PTSD. The sleep apnea issue requires further development as the VA opinion obtained in October 2015 was inadequate.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed due to the lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay contentions and medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as it was caused by an in-service traumatic event, and the evidence supports this finding.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension, which is claimed as secondary to PTSD, needs further evaluation and may be aggravated by PTSD. The case will be sent back for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial disability rating of 50 percent.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, depressed mood, intrusive memories, emotional detachment, irritability, isolation, hypervigilance, increased startle response, and lack of motivation.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is being remanded due to his testimony of worsening symptoms since the last VA examination in May 2014. He needs to provide records and a VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled.