PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA aid and attendance examination to determine if she needs regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, kyphosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and migraines. The RO/AMC will then readjudicate the SMC claim in light of these findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes was denied because the evidence on file at the time of his death did not show that PTSD was related to corroborated in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors were sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for his psychiatric disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his combined disability rating of 90% supports the grant of TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD due to any incident of his active duty service.,The Board also found that the Veteran does not have hypertension with headaches due to any incident of his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that from December 6, 2004 to July 20, 2005 the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent for her service-connected PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability meeting the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension was also not shown to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 9, 2007. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to an in-service stressor. The psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, hypertension, and TDIU claims are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks since the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a stressor related to combat. The claims for other conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: one for PTSD with panic attacks prior to October 23, 2008 and another for PTSD with a cognitive disorder due to TBI since that date. The RO granted service connection but did not specify the rating criteria used.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and to determine whether any diagnosed cervical spine disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and right ankle fracture) are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder, with features of depression, are found to be service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive throughout the initial rating period by social and occupational impairment that more nearly approximates total than deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.