PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma and service-connected, while her depression does not have a direct link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 21, 2003 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted the initial evaluation of PTSD with depression and denied service connection for a heart disability as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors are not credible and did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of corroborated stressor and insufficient medical nexus.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for PTSD and concluded there was no direct service connection for psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and lung disability. The denial is based on a lack of medical evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for synostosis and convalescence have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of medical evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to his military service. The Board also finds that he has other diagnosed psychiatric disorders (depression and schizophrenia) which are related to his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. However, all of his remaining claims concerning his neck, back, left leg, right leg, left knee, and tinnitus need to be remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to February 13, 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the right hand. The remaining claims, including those related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but not total. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension are granted as service-connected, with the PTSD being related to his combat experiences during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma has been reopened, but the VA has not granted service connection on the merits. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% and his hearing loss disability does not meet a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis is not based on a corroborated stressor, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.