PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his claimed stressors are found to be related to his active duty, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran's reported stressor is not credible as there is no corroborating evidence from his unit or location. The criteria for establishing service connection have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD features is not manifested by symptoms that warrant a higher rating, and the current evaluation of 30 percent remains appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new examinations and a TDIU determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a PTSD rating and his claim of CUE in the November 1947 decision reducing his PTSD rating from 50% to 10%. The Board found that the reduction was not based on clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD, effective since the date of death (January 23, 2008).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between any current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's major depressive disorder is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, primarily manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anger, irritability, social isolation, difficulty concentrating, startle response, nightmares, sleep disturbance, and recurrent intrusive memories. The Veteran's speech was normal, thought process intact, judgment good, and no homicidal or psychotic ideations were present.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence, including a diagnosis of PTSD from a VA psychiatrist. The Board concludes that there is reasonable possibility that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all his issues on appeal via written notification prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, finding that they are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been granted, with a 10% initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 50% initial rating for PTSD. The appeal is resolved in favor of the VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further review of his claims, including additional medical evidence and another VA examination. The issues on appeal are related to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD in June 1998. The current appeal seeks to reopen this claim based on new and material evidence, but no such evidence has been provided.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.