PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no unadjudicated formal or informal claims were submitted prior to September 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The evidence received since the January 2011 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a nose condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The most probative evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims, including for a TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to a motor vehicle accident, but the Appellant argues that his PTSD caused him to be distracted and inattentive at the time. The Board requests additional evidence including police reports and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a low back disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to his testimony indicating that his PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and an anxiety disorder related to his military service in Vietnam is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol abuse, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher rating of 50 percent prior to May 13, 2016. For the period after May 13, 2016, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent were not met.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development and an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 9, 2010. The evidence shows that his symptoms have caused moderate occupational and social impairment but not the more severe deficiencies in most areas required for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased evaluation for lichen planus. The claim for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service or herbicide exposure, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established. For lichen planus, the Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7822.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

For the period prior to April 25, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent.,For the period beginning April 25, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, which contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2011. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD prior to May 9, 2011, most closely approximates a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment caused by suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. As of May 9, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD manifests with symptoms including depression, self-isolation, nightmares, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, causing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.