PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there was no NOD regarding the initial rating or effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development including a VA examination to clarify the diagnosis and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. Outstanding records must also be secured.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to exclude PTSD, was not incurred in or caused by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include bipolar affective disorder; PTSD; residuals of abrasions of the right hand; and a right knee disorder. The evidence submitted since January 2003 raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective as of the date service connection was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's pre-existing dysthymic disorder was found to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his reported stressor, which involved a threat to the physical integrity of himself and another serviceman during a mortar attack in Vietnam, has been found credible. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD by his VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that corroborates his claimed in-service noncombat related stressor.

Prior to October 1, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression was rated at 30 percent.,Since October 1, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has been rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under current criteria. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence from the Veteran and a new VA examination to assess his PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after this review.

The Board granted service connection for depression and PTSD, but only assigned a 30 percent rating prior to August 27, 2012. The Veteran's psychiatric disability was found to have resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety) and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The Board will reconsider these claims as if the November 2012 decision had never been issued.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to military service or any stressor experienced therein. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative disc space narrowing, PTSD, left hip strain, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Board has remanded the case for further development of her lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as issuance of a statement of the case regarding her initial ratings for service-connected left hip strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Tinnitus, Thoracolumbar Spine Strain, Right Ankle Strain, and Right Knee Disability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.