PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's TBI has resulted in total occupational impairment, and a 100 percent rating is granted for the entire time on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded to schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to January 27, 2012 caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, memory loss, and irritability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood since April 26, 2007. The VA Board found that a 70% rating is warranted for the period from April 26, 2007.

The Board has jurisdiction over the timely and adequately appealed issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran's appeal as to a respiratory disability is dismissed due to lack of justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and industrial adaptability.

The Veteran's mental disability, characterized as PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, has been rated at 100 percent since May 29, 2007. The issue of service connection for schizoaffective disorder is moot due to the recharacterization of the condition within the context of the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's sleep disability is not service-connected as it is part of his already service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected, and denied service connection for PTSD related to alleged military sexual trauma and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted with an effective date of March 3, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and for further development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations or service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressor is credible and supported by evidence, and his symptoms are related to this event. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's claims are now reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, lumbar spine disability (secondary to service connected bilateral knee disorders), hypertension secondary to PTSD with depression, and an effective date earlier than November 12, 2008 for the grant of an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depression was denied from August 20, 2011 onwards. The Veteran's right knee synovitis and scars residual to gunshot wound of abdomen were not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other mental health conditions. The evidence shows a continuity of symptoms since service and a current diagnosis of these conditions. Therefore, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and issuance of a statement of the case on all issues.