PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The appellant's current psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been granted at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the appellant's service-connected PTSD alone renders him unemployable. The case is also remanded for obtaining all of the appellant's VA treatment records from March 2010 to present.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are related to service, and grants service connection for this condition. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is not service connected as there was no verified stressor. A cognitive disorder is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety reaction has been rated at 50 percent since April 11, 2001. The Board finds that the disability more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder that is directly related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further verification of in-service stressors and hostile contact, as well as a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as there was no factual entitlement to the benefit prior to January 26, 2006.

The Board finds that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD and/or bipolar disorder. The claim for increased rating of bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD causes no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to August 27, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder. The issues of PTSD and a right hip disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus failing to meet one of the essential elements required for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and additional medical records to assess the current manifestations of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 21, 2001 for service connection of PTSD is granted as of September 4, 1979.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran has PTSD and Major Depression that were incurred in service, with a valid diagnosis related to an in-service stressor involving the death of a fellow sailor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied the initial disability rating for Mechanical Low Back Strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and the current psychiatric disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,There is currently no diagnosis of hypertension due to service or a service-connected condition.