PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records, provide notice of the July 2010 revisions to the regulations pertaining to service connection for PTSD under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f), and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since April 23, 2012. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to that date and found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of VA treatment records.

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

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, sleep apnea, and skin disorder have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD), pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and a heart condition have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury that would support these conditions. The Board finds the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply to this case.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer was not related to service, including asbestos exposure. The Veteran's PTSD and pre-existing stomach conditions were not found to be the immediate or underlying cause of his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service in Vietnam and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to October 7, 2009 and from October 7, 2009 onwards.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The other issues regarding secondary service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD prior to May 20, 2011 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability did not manifest in service and was not related to any in-service event, injury, or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 1, 2013 or 70 percent from that date. The current assigned ratings are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fracture of the right ankle, and burns. The appeal is currently pending with further development required.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 1, 2005. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective February 26, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. This includes obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the current psychiatric conditions are related to service, particularly the alleged rape in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, has been reopened. The Board also remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that his disability picture more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.