PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while the PTSD rating before November 17, 2015, remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 80 percent due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to conflicting evidence in the file. Additional medical examinations are required.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent since January 23, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or other criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no new and material evidence relating to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are incomplete due to unclear dates of his active duty and National Guard/Reserve service, missing service treatment records, and outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right arm shrapnel injury and granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as secondary to a military sexual trauma is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as secondary to a military sexual trauma is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, rendered him unemployable prior to September 5, 2012. The Board has ordered a remand for an examination to assess the combined effect of these conditions on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Mental Disorders because there was no clinical diagnosis of TBI in the record, and the Veteran's lay statements were insufficient to substantiate her claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia, are found to be attributable to service, specifically the in-service sexual assault. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100% effective November 22, 2016. Prior to that date, the rating was 50%. The Veteran has total occupational and social impairment since then.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia and PTSD as the Veteran's symptoms are already associated with his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of the PTSD rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 30, 2012. The symptoms have included impairment of short- and long-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's low back disability was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. For PTSD, the evidence does not show deficiencies in most areas that would warrant a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disability are being remanded for further evaluation as the VA examinations were not conducted. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claims.