PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression, including bipolar disorder. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not meet all criteria for the liberalizing law at the time of its implementation in April 1980.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder and knee disability. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development regarding the nature and etiology of his current skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied because no formal or informal claims were received prior to June 15, 2005. The August 27, 2004, and September 30, 2004, correspondence could be construed as an informal claim but was considered abandoned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that there was no diagnosis of PTSD and thus no basis for service connection.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all diagnosed psychiatric disorders and has ordered a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service or to his service-connected tinnitus. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and TBI have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service separation examination, verifying inservice stressors, and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of his migraine headaches and any claimed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left sternoclavicle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees or less from the side, even with consideration of pain and other functional impacts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence received since the last final denial supports a diagnosis of PTSD. The issue is now remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if the current symptoms are related to in-service personal assault stressors.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with PTSD symptoms was rated at 30 percent from September 21, 2001 to February 9, 2004. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms which included difficulty sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, anxiousness, depression, irritability, suspiciousness, short temper, and exaggerated startle response.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding the denial of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cold weather injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the interruption of vocational rehabilitation benefits was proper due to the Veteran's failure to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation, as well as his inability to achieve a feasible employment goal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding his alleged stressor event in service.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to a personal assault during military service, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and applying the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of moderate to significant occupational and social impairment, without deficiencies in most areas. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, including for tinnitus, back disability, pes planus, jaw disability (claimed as TMJ/prognathism), PTSD, right leg disability, sinusitis, and mitral valve prolapse. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured left fibula was granted. The claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disability, and fractures of the left foot/toes were denied. Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left toe fractures was granted.