PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to July 20, 2004 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further evidentiary and due process development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to November 3, 2011. Since then, his PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD with secondary depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to separate symptoms attributable to service-connected PTSD from those attributable to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with memory loss has been rated at 70% since November 18, 2011. However, the Board found that for the period from November 26, 2004 to November 17, 2011, his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries in a July 1958 automobile accident were not incurred in the line of duty due to his own willful misconduct. As such, service connection for PTSD, nasal injuries, and sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was found to be manifested by symptoms such as sleep difficulties, nightmares, intrusive thoughts or memories about military service, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anger, bouts of rage, depression, anxiety, paranoia, suicidal ideations, and homicidal ideations. His degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was manifested by pain that increased with changes in weather, causing sleeping difficulties but not radiating to his lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's vertigo and psychiatric disorder are not related to service, with the preponderance of evidence against a finding that they were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no medical evidence attributing his current condition to any verified in-service stressful incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically an assault and witnessing a traumatic event during military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and thoracolumbar spine disability have been granted service connection, with a 10 percent rating initially assigned for each condition. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the appellant's military experiences are related to his diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has a low back disability, bronchitis, or sleep apnea disability that are etiologically related to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating from November 9, 2005 through September 21, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and service connection for fibromyalgia and GERD were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, as the issues are related to rating decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to service, and his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and/or depression is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling effective December 8, 2008. The RO reduced the rating for his left knee instability from 20 to 0 percent effective October 1, 2008, based on improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining relevant treatment records from VA facilities and ensuring proper verification of claimed stressors.