PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for service-connected PTSD was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet criteria warranting an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is moot because his psychiatric manifestations are already accounted for in the established service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board is remanding the case to conduct additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to consider whether service connection for PTSD can be established based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The substance abuse claim will also be deferred until further adjudication of the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify whether Lt. Colonel H., a Lieutenant Colonel stationed at Zweibrucken, Germany in July 1980, was in the Veteran's Command and if an incident report of sexual assault was filed.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which the Board finds is etiologically related to his active service. The claim for PTSD is not addressed as it was remanded and will be handled in a separate decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses related to a gastric bypass surgery performed in October 2000 is granted, as the surgery was deemed necessary due to a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 19, 2001 (for PTSD) and March 29, 2005 (for onychomycosis and tinea pedis) have been denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran filed a claim before these effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain additional medical records and to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The claims will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 3, 2005 and continues to meet the criteria for this rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient information provided regarding the alleged stressors. Additional development is needed to corroborate these events and determine if they are sufficient to establish PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 1998 rating decision that denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD was received on August 11, 1992, but the correct law under 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(c) should have been applied, allowing for reconsideration based on newly discovered service department records from the U.S. Army & Joint Services Environmental Support Group (JSRRC). The effective date of the award should be retroactive to the date of receipt of the original claim for PTSD in September 7, 1984.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding stressor verification and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression should be remanded due to insufficient information provided by the RO regarding stressor verification. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disability related to his service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is manifested by some suicidal ideation, significant occupational impairment, impaired memory, alcohol abuse, mood disturbances, and GAF scores between 40 and 49. The criteria for an initial 50 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is granted as it is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran suffers from PTSD due to an in-service stressor or fear of hostile military activity.