PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a comprehensive VA mental disorders examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms including unprovoked irritability, social antagonism, ongoing significant depression, deteriorated psychological defenses, paranoia, and impaired communication which cause strain on his relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's residuals of a head injury are found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor has not been verified.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for further examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for shoulder disability and headaches has been referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, social avoidance, hypervigilance, and periods of depression. However, the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further review of additional evidence submitted by the appellant, including a photograph she claims shows her injuries from a pool accident. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by sleep problems, fatigue, hypervigilance, and social isolation. The Board found that this warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and psychiatric disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date prior to April 8, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The RO had previously considered and denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder in February 1973 and November 1976.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and T12 compression fracture, service connection for migraine headaches, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim to reopen a COPD claim is referred to the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 7, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of PTSD at the time of the decision. The motion to revise or reverse this decision due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, stomach cancer, postgastrectomy dumping syndrome, and new and material evidence to reopen a claim of service connection for peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran was found not to have current valid diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors did not occur and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development and possibly a new VA examination in order to determine if service connection for PTSD can be established.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the Board dismisses the appeal.