PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran experienced in-service stressors related to his service and determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to those stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with pain disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective August 30, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at various levels of disability, with the highest rating (70%) granted on or after February 3, 2011.

The Board has requested a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death, combined to cause death, and/or aided in producing death. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to locate inpatient records from his service and obtain Social Security Administration records. The VA will conduct a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is causally related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his active service, and therefore, entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated alcohol and substance abuse is rated at 70 percent disabling from July 15, 2008 to December 6, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU effective July 15, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 30 percent effective March 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD was granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective November 28, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as occasional suicidal feelings, auditory and visual hallucinations, strained relationships with his spouse and family, few if any friends, no hobbies or interests, unprovoked irritability and anger, impaired impulse control, social isolation and avoidance, sleep disturbances, feelings of hopelessness, hypervigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, exaggerated startled response, poor memory and concentration, difficulty in maintaining and establishing effective relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances at work. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been described as 'severe' and are shown to more nearly approximate a level of occupational and social impairment manifested by deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's acne, bipolar disorder, PTSD, sinusitis/upper respiratory infections, cesarean section residuals, and menstrual cramps have been granted service connection. The rating for acne has been restored to 10 percent effective September 1, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a comprehensive psychiatric examination. The Veteran contends that his PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in May 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as her in-service stressors are related to her active duty service, and she has objective indications of a chronic disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares, anxiety, and hypervigilance, have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The initial rating of 50% has been granted for the period from April 14, 2005 to April 3, 2007.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD as a result of his military service in Vietnam. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional examination and review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need to obtain additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned an initial rating of 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.