PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim is resolved in favor of reopening. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, based on additional relevant official service department records that corroborated the Veteran's account of in-service stressors. The effective date is set at December 16, 1992.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim to reopen a previously denied low back strain (lumbar spine disorder) was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation as it does not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder in March 2005. The Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of the decision, so the denial became final.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (not related to PTSD), skin disorder, and asthma have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 15, 1991 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was filed in 1991 and VA had sufficient information to obtain verification of his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor event related to PTSD and consideration of alternative current conditions within the scope of the filed claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous examination and opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to include generalized anxiety disorder with depression is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining morning reports and unit history.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability attributable to his period of service, including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder NOS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by intrusive thoughts, frequent nightmares, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hyperarousal, mild avoidance behaviors, and panic attacks occurring less than once a week. The GAF scores ranged from 50 to 65 prior to July 16, 2010, indicating reduced reliability and productivity with difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded it for further development. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records from VA facilities and verifying stressor incidents. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to November 7, 2009, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,While the Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia/sleep disorder, it is not considered a compensable disability for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's sleep issues are associated with his PTSD and not due to any service exposure.