PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, bipolar disorder, and COPD, is being considered as part of this reopening.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder in service or currently, and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. For his knee disabilities, the Board finds that the June 2011 VA examination report provides sufficient information to determine that a higher evaluation than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of service treatment records or post-service treatment records, and inability to verify claimed stressors. However, new evidence has been submitted that relates the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis to an in-service stressor, thus reopening the claim and granting service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus problems, GERD, PTSD, and sleep apnea. Service connection is granted for all conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 1, 2012. The claim for an increased rating is denied as the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records from the Jesse Brown VAMC in Chicago, Illinois.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), is found to be as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam. Given the facts of this case and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant, service connection for anxiety disorder NOS is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unemployable from October 2, 2008 to December 9, 2009. For all other periods, his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressor involving the death of a young girl in his convoy. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD, but there is no verified incident that supports this diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a personal assault during her military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder substantially contributed to his death, resulting in ischemic cardiomyopathy and multiple myocardial infarctions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death before the Board could make a decision on the merits of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted as service-connected because it is linked to her combat experience in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as he did not have sufficient service-connected disabilities to warrant a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent, and TDIU benefits were reinstated effective January 1, 2010. The reduction in ratings was not warranted as the evidence did not show an improvement in the disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder are related to his in-service stressors, while the service connection for IBS is granted based on direct evidence. The effective date of the decision has not been determined.