PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded for further development, including consideration of the revised regulations pertaining to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service and that other psychiatric disorders are not linked to his service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from prison facilities and reviewing VA treatment records. The appeal will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent since July 2, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by depression, intrusive memories, sleeping difficulty with frequent nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, irritability, anger outbursts, hypervigilance, hyperarousal, startle reaction, difficulty with concentration, transient passive suicidal ideation with no active intent or plan, restricted range of interests and affects, social isolation and feelings of detachment and estrangement from others. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not warranted an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his service experiences.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have PTSD related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to December 22, 2010. A TDIU was granted effective October 31, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with PTSD, which he contends was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD with sleep disorder have been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically his fear of hostile military activity during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by sleeplessness, flashbacks, social isolation, and irritability. The preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD was not shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his hypertension, which is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD. The appellant's claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault did not constitute a valid stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of a reported stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, provide the Veteran with an opportunity to identify his in-service stressors, and schedule him for VA examinations to address the etiology of his left knee disability, gastrointestinal disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder.