PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, and hypertension are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is granted an initial non-compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted by the AMC in an August 2016 rating decision, effective February 14, 2011. The appeal concerning bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since September 18, 2007.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Panic Disorder, is etiologically related to his active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including verifying an alleged sexual assault during ACDUTRA as a potential stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's death in May 2011 was not related to a service-connected disability or service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that his death was caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is new and material to establish a link between her current mental health conditions and in-service personal assaults.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any SSA disability benefit determinations. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Cold injury residuals of the right and left lower extremities are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA mental health examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD. The issue remains on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining historical information about the Bremerton Naval Shipyard and VA medical records from Birmingham. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran's current mood disorder is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since May 19, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, and assigned a separate rating of 20 percent for painful scars due to burns on the right upper extremity and anterior trunk. The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for his scar on the left forehead was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination and to obtain an opinion as to whether his current psychiatric conditions are related to service, including his burn injury in 1986. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case for the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent since September 6, 2012. The criteria for a rating of 60 percent for cardiomegaly have been met from the date of claim until August 11, 2009. As of August 12, 2009, the Veteran's cardiomegaly is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260. Prior to October 3, 2012, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.