PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, OCD, and bipolar disorder, are presumed to have existed prior to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent effective March 10, 2016. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: an initial increased rating for PTSD, an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, or PTSD, that is etiologically related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at February 16, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including PTSD and residuals of a fistulotomy. The Board found that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD were not met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities and whether any such diagnosed disorder is caused or aggravated by one or more of the Veteran's reported traumatic events or any other aspect of active or National Guard service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service and/or secondary to service-connected disability. The AOJ must also verify the alleged stressor account and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that his symptoms are better explained by his diagnosed schizoaffective disorder, depressed type. As such, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 50 percent disability rating prior to August 4, 2011. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted entitlement to TDIU. The claim for an extraschedular rating for PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer disease with chronic duodenitis on an extraschedular basis, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's depression and his military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) claim is also denied because there is no confirmed inservice stressor and the diagnosed conditions are more likely related to substance abuse rather than service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression warrants a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an unsuccessful attempt to verify a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in February and March 1991. The claim will be reconsidered on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of impairment greater than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, sinusitis, amenorrhea, gastrointestinal disability, hemorrhoids, and headache disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia and PTSD.