PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further action, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's allegations regarding in-service stressors will also be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and nonservice-connected pension benefits are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 30, 2005 for service connection of PTSD is denied. The Veteran filed a formal claim in January 2003 for nonservice-connected pension benefits and did not file a claim for compensation at that time. His informal claim for PTSD was received on August 30, 2005, which is later than the date entitlement arose.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant military and VA medical records, conducting a VA psychiatric examination, and verifying inservice traumatic experiences.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development including obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressor events. The Board will also consider whether any current psychiatric disability may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and treatment records. The issue of an earlier effective date for service connection will also be addressed.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 2009, effective from the date of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and a right leg disorder to comply with the Court's November 2010 decision. The AOJ must issue an SOC regarding the PTSD claim and provide proper VCAA notice on all issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying stressors and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim remains in a pending state.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further consideration of the issues on appeal, including TDIU and PTSD claims for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. However, his claims for higher initial evaluation for PTSD prior to June 5, 2006 and TDIU prior to June 5, 2006 were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a review of the medical records by both a VA psychiatrist and psychologist to determine the level of occupational and social impairment related to PTSD alone. The RO/AMC must also consider and document their review under both the former and revised rating criteria when evaluating the appellant's posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board finds that the currently demonstrated ED is shown as likely as not to be caused by or aggravated by the service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for ED as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The VA Board has determined that the Veteran's dyssomnia, not otherwise specified, is related to his active duty service. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and thus denied this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches and muscle spasms did not have their onset in service, were not manifested to a compensable degree within one year after service, or are otherwise causally related to service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 1, 2009. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities include PTSD, depressive disorder, substance abuse history, dysthymic disorder with atypical features, and paranoid personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.