PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and major depression with psychosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of a new avenue of entitlement for service connection based on military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran will be provided special notice provisions and an opportunity to submit evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling prior to March 12, 2010 and 50 percent disabling thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a PTSD examination and consideration of the TDIU issue. The current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD will be determined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as secondary to his service-connected headaches, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and kidney stones, but granted a noncompensable evaluation for his right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent, and he is granted a separate compensable disability rating for TBI. The hearing loss in the left ear has been service-connected, and his migraine headaches have also received an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his active service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a gunshot wound to the left arm, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 8, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the impact of his PTSD on his employment. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and status post total left knee replacement were denied due to lack of a nexus between service and current disability. The claim for IHD was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.

The Veteran's lung cancer and PTSD are not service-connected, with the lung cancer being denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to May 16, 2012. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU for his service-connected disabilities prior to May 10, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 23, 2013, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service or if it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, or erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety is not related to her service. Her hypertension was also not shown to be caused by or aggravated by her service. The Board denied both claims.