PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of defective vision and retina problems, infection of the right hand, infection of the left hand, swollen joints, hypertension, and allergies prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by ongoing symptoms of recurrent nightmares, intrusive recollections, difficulties sleeping, irritability, explosive temper, anxiety, social isolation, highly exaggerated startle response, problems with concentration, depression, alienation, restricted social functioning, avoidance behaviors, feelings of detachment/estrangement from others to include his children and spouse. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his PTSD during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and the residuals of his left ankle fracture, as well as to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for chloracne, are dismissed. The temporary total convalescent rating for the residuals of the left ankle fracture is extended by two months beyond October 31, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA audiological and psychiatric examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to verify her in-service stressors. A psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and testicular cancer. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health clinic records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 3, 2008. The Board remanded the case for further development and a new rating decision.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities are rated at a combined 90 percent and render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The respiratory disability claim is not supported by the evidence.,Service connection was established based on direct causation of these conditions in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA examination reports.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decreased in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to chronic sleep impairment, depressed mood, anxiety, and suspiciousness from March 10, 2006, to July 2, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, depression, and anxiety attacks is granted as her lay assertions regarding military sexual trauma are found to be credible, and a competent diagnosis of PTSD can be sustained. The evidence supports the link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor (MST).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and addendum. A new VA medical examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused total social and occupational impairment as of May 1, 2012, but not prior to that date. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from May 1, 2012.