PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, based on new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim was previously denied due to lack of in-service stressors corroborated by official records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM-IV and thus, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and related conditions including General Anxiety Disorder and Depression was denied as there is no current psychiatric disability found.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and residuals of asbestos exposure were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, including the claimed stressors or exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder related to in-service sexual trauma, which has been corroborated by credible supporting evidence. The Board finds that service connection for these conditions is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting any relevant Vet Center records. The Veteran's GAF score of 77 needs clarification in terms of his current functioning.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to active military service or events therein.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and authorization for private medical records. The claims will be adjudicated again after the additional evidence is considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for parotiditis, mumps, lymphadenopathy, a disorder of the right shoulder node, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disability were all denied. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been received, and therefore, the claim is reopened. The appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fear of hostile military activity during his service in Afghanistan is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. A VA examiner diagnosed PTSD based on these experiences. Therefore, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. The RO has granted service connection and assigned a higher initial disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, which includes PTSD and major depression. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current PTSD to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with features of PTSD has been rated at 30 percent based on the severity and symptoms described.

The Board has denied reopening and service connection for the Veteran's claims of Achilles tendon injury, PTSD, and sural nerve neuroma due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no verified in-service stressor. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.