PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD are related to his service, including harassment he experienced during active duty. The VA psychiatrist provided a more probative opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to a qualifying chronic disability. Other gastrointestinal issues will be addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include depressive disorder and PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, chronic residuals of cold injury, hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his claimed conditions were not shown to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 14, 2016. The effective date for this rating is October 14, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are rated at 30 percent beginning May 8, 2011. The Veteran does not have service connection for these conditions based on a presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since June 24, 2010.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for COPD. The claim remains pending.,Service connection for COPD was denied in a previous decision but reopened due to new evidence. The Veteran's COPD is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's TDIU rating appeal is moot as he already has a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU effective September 3, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to the Board's decision. The issue of a compensable disability rating prior to November 13, 2013 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for service-connected scar of the right arm, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and major depression have more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. An initial rating of 100 percent for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran is found to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be adjudicated, including obtaining VA treatment records from 2012 to present and SSA disability records. The Veteran's service personnel records are also needed for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of her claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for clarification of his employment history and to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 25, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2007 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no clear evidence that a claim was submitted before this date.