PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depression, anxiety, dysthymia, and a sleep disorder. The claim is now pending for further adjudication.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left facial spasm, porphyria cutanea tarda with diabetic skin complications of tinea pedis and tinea cruris, PTSD and depression, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating was assigned for the skin conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, or residuals of a head injury, including TBI, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the date of the Veteran's claimed stressor and a need to verify it. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially in combination, are of a nature and severity as to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for migraine headaches. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed PTSD related to military service, and his migraine headaches were found to be manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring about once a week.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 4, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 2005, and the Board found that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, functional myoclonis, and hyperaldosteronism are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and major depression is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for right shoulder tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for an updated examination.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for left shoulder tendonitis is also being remanded due to the need for an updated examination.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine remains before the Board as it includes both orthopedic and neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since the claim was reopened, but his hypertension does not meet service connection criteria. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and other conditions, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD disability prior to December 13, 2006 was rated at 50 percent and is considered granted.

The November 2000 rating decision reducing the PTSD disability rating from 100% to 70% was found to have been clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as there was no material improvement in the condition under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression; migraine headaches; and TMJ are related to her military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing is conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a cervical hernia, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine in service. The Veteran's PTSD and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis were granted with effective dates based on information available at the time of his original claims within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of service-connected dermatitis was denied. The Board found that the current 30 percent disability rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.