PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the current rating decision is not in compliance with Mauerhan v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 436 (2002), and requires a supplemental medical opinion to assess the Veteran's PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there was no communication received from him prior to May 31, 2006 that constituted a formal or informal claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of credible supporting evidence that a stressor actually occurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and psychosis, were not related to his service. The claim was denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and panic disorder, are related to her personal assault during service. As such, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 16, 2005. The Board found that the disability results in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, depression, and agoraphobia was granted with an effective date of March 11, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to that disability. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as an opinion on the overall effects of his service-connected disability on his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's Army Reserve duty and records from Social Security Administration and Dr. J.A.J..

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experiences in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His depression is also considered as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted for the period prior to June 6, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by ongoing symptoms of anxiety, depression, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping due to nightmares, irritability, panic attacks, crying spells, impaired memory, difficulty with impulse control, problems with concentration, and social isolation, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from January 23, 2004, to August 23, 2010.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder resulting from active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran will be scheduled for another VA examination to determine if he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disability and whether any such disability is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder, were also considered but no new or material evidence was presented to reopen these claims.