PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than mood disorder, to include PTSD, did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence regarding a court-martial of the Veteran's drill instructor, who is alleged to have committed sexual assault against the Veteran. The Veteran must provide identifying information for SSGT H and VA will attempt to retrieve any service personnel records or disciplinary records pertaining to this incident.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 26, 2012. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board has been confirmed, and this case is being remanded to schedule that hearing.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol and polysubstance abuse in full sustained remission since October 21, 2010. The issue of an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder, NOS. The appeals of the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for right shoulder strain and left shoulder strain are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 27, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the true diagnoses of any currently manifested psychiatric disorder(s), including PTSD, and whether there is a link between the current symptomatology and the July 1981 stressor reported by the appellant. The examiner should also indicate if the diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to the events in July 1981 as reported by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD. As this grants the benefit sought, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot and dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 29, 2009. The rating reflects the severity of symptoms such as suicidal ideation and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for bipolar disorder, as well as the issue of service connection for PTSD. The status on these issues is currently unknown.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the CID investigation and Social Security Administration, authenticating a DD Form 2910, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and requesting additional treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as new evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions related to in-service noise exposure and combat experience, respectively.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including anxiety and panic attacks, is not related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there were no verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cervical/lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and delusional disorder, was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability that had its onset in or is otherwise associated with service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service personal sexual assault, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, psychiatric disability other than PTSD, right knee disability, stomach disability, and left shoulder disability. The initial ratings for left knee instability and degenerative joint disease were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records.