PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Portland, Oregon. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sexual dysfunction secondary to PTSD, and sleep disorder secondary to PTSD are still pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nasal polyps, bilateral pes cavus, left eye convergence disorder, groin rash, right index finger laceration, and laceration of the knuckle of the right hand. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was expanded to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder more closely approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating, warranting a grant of service connection at this higher level. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a stress fracture of the left lower tibia is granted. The Board finds that she suffers from current residuals of this in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as his service connection claim for deviated septum, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 5, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected gout, as there is no current diagnosis of gout or associated symptoms. The Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints and right shoulder osteoarthritis are found to be related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder must be remanded due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for expert guidance. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination by a panel of three Board-certified psychiatrists.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a disorder characterized by memory loss. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records from the Veteran's service department and his private physician.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at the highest schedular level (100 percent) for the entire period on appeal, rendering moot any issues regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hemorrhoids did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to January 2, 2004.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for consideration of multiple psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including as due to a low back disability. The Veteran's claims were based on her in-service experiences, but the VA opinion found no credible evidence supporting these assertions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD, including on an extra-schedular basis. The matter of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) within the context of this claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for the periods from November 29, 2007, to January 14, 2008, from March 1, 2008, through October 4, 2009, and from December 1, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus, does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or by reason of being permanently housebound.