PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, to his military service.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his musculoskeletal disabilities and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and dysthymia.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressed mood was granted, but the initial rating of 50 percent has not been met for the period prior to June 9, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability, to include adjustment disorder or PTSD, that is related to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) has been withdrawn.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as the claimed stressors were not verified and there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral burn scars of the arms due to VA treatment was denied due to lack of causation by VA's fault.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the left eye due to VA treatment was denied as there is no evidence that the event was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to appear for a hearing. The appeal is about reopening his claim of service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, a nervous disorder, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and addressing new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

Prior to April 4, 2007, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder associated with hepatitis C.,Beginning on April 4, 2007, he was granted a 50 percent rating.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities for which he can be granted service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and upper-GI system disorder (GERD) are not found to be related to service. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current urinary/ bladder disorder, nor is there evidence of any skin or peripheral neuropathy. Service connection for cataracts is granted as they are proximately due to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder is granted due to the credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and a link between current symptoms and that stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining alternative evidence to support the appellant's claims of sexual assault and right knee disability. The VA will also seek additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 27, 2006. The VA determined that the symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity but not total impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, nor have other symptoms on par with the level of this severity been shown. The evidence demonstrates that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and expert opinions, as well as verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the expanded evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be a result of an in-service stressor, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current psychiatric disorders and his active service.