PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to his service. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was considered abandoned due to the Veteran not submitting requested information.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of mandibular prognathism and malocclusion, claimed as scars of the face and neck. The Veteran testified during his July 2017 Travel Board hearing that he experienced symptoms such as painful, itchy scars on his face and neck, a burning sensation, and choking sensations since his in-service surgery to correct his mandibular prognathism and malocclusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 31, 2007 for the grant of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran was previously rated for insomnia and PTSD together since June 25, 1994 (the day following his separation from active duty). Effective January 31, 2007, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since April 22, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, chronic sleep disturbance with nightmares, mild memory loss, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, suspiciousness, intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and one instance of suicidal ideation without intent or plan have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. However, the Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a 70% rating due to deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his PTSD and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to more closely approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating, which is granted. The appellant also met the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 5, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described in the rating criteria. The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and experiences symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, avoidance behavior, and difficulty maintaining social relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA opinion to determine when each of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities first manifested, including depression, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia NOS. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 14, 2015. As of December 14, 2015, the Veteran has been assigned a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD and an award of SMC. The appeal is dismissed as the issue of TDIU is moot.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been dismissed as there is no case or controversy remaining.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II claims due to lack of recent medical evidence. The erectile dysfunction claim will be addressed in conjunction with the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, rendering moot the claim for a TDIU. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries, including his lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, headaches, vertigo, neurological condition affecting bilateral lower extremities (claimed as pain and muscle spasms), neuropathy of upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are due to his own willful misconduct. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.