PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and a disability characterized by obesity or an eating disorder were denied as there is no competent evidence of in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and the claimed disabilities are not shown to be related to service.,There is also insufficient medical evidence to establish aggravation of any current disability by a pre-existing psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, pre-existed his military service and if so, whether it was aggravated by service. The claim is also being remanded due to the need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and obtain additional medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders. The appeal will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus contributed substantially or materially to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's tension headaches were found to have started in service and he was granted service connection. For his acquired psychiatric disability, the Board determined that a rating of 50% is warranted based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, and PTSD are linked to her in-service sexual assault. Service connection is denied for endometriosis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's stressor of witnessing a first sergeant's death in a non-hostile manner during service has been confirmed. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, and whether it is more likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 50% evaluation beginning December 10, 2008. The earlier period from September 10, 2007 through December 9, 2008 was evaluated at 30%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after all necessary actions are taken.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking increased ratings for PTSD prior to December 30, 1991, from March 1, 1992, to September 24, 1992, and from April 1, 1993, to November 7, 1994, for accrued benefits purposes. The appeal is currently remanded due to the need to address claims of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and for adjudication of any unemployability issues.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD), effective from May 20, 2008. The Veteran meets the criteria for this increased rating based on his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating due to deficiencies in most areas of work and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the expansion of the psychiatric disorder claim to include all diagnosed disorders.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions, including dysthymic disorder, psychosis NOS, depressive disorder NOS, and anxiety disorder. The in-service stressor of witnessing a Thai soldier's brutal murder has been verified.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional service personnel records and VA medical center records, including those from 1973 to 1994. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this new information.