PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and will conduct further development before re-adjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a search of USS San Diego deck logs and an examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's account of exposure to extremely cold temperatures during his service in Korea is credible. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently suffers from cold injury residuals causally or etiologically related to his period of active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, but denied the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records, as well as a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to July 31, 2007. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective July 31, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and bipolar disorder are not related to her active service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service personal assault. The diagnoses have changed over time, with different VA examiners listing different primary conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board previously denied increased ratings for PTSD prior to January 8, 2009 and since that date. The Court reversed these decisions, finding the evidence at least in equipoise for a 50% rating before January 8, 2009 and a 70% rating after that date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and no presumption of service connection applies.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his authorized representative, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors, including possible sexual assault and physical assault during service, are not credible. As a result, the claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including an in-person VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, and a review of service personnel records to verify any claimed stressors. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for obstructive sleep apnea must also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD had been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 25, 2010, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD with anxiety and depression, as well as an opinion regarding the effect this disability has on his employability. Additionally, any outstanding VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 40% due to cognitive impairment, and a separate rating for his related headache disability has been granted. The PTSD remains rated at 30%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to a traumatic in-service event involving military sexual assault, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be as likely as not attributable to events during her active military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.