PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to her allegation of military sexual trauma. The AMC/RO is instructed to provide a corrective VCAA notice letter, obtain VA treatment records from specific time periods, and schedule a comprehensive VA PTSD examination by a psychiatrist.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and obtain relevant unit histories. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine whether he suffers from PTSD due to verified stressors, as well as for an audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as including a number of symptoms of PTSD but not meeting the criteria for PTSD and diagnosed as an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, was found to be incurred in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, was not diagnosed with PTSD while serving on active duty, and any currently present PTSD is not attributable to a verified in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination and there is insufficient evidence to establish that she currently suffers from a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with PTSD was rated at 50 percent from June 24, 2004 to March 1, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he did not have a valid in-service stressor to support his diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and may have been aggravated by a pre-existing personality disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, thus allowing the Veteran's original claim to proceed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, and his lumbosacral osteoarthritis rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 8, 2009 and not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for service-connected PTSD and a TDIU was denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is January 16, 2007.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her PTSD. The claim for TDIU will also be developed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffers from PTSD per DSM-IV criteria and that his in-service stressors have been verified. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and developing the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 12, 2006. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms resulting in difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 11, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The case is remanded to assign a rating and determine if TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and chloracne are not supported by the evidence, as they were not received within one year of separation from service. The effective dates have been set at August 7, 2008.