PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The disability is characterized by significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, existed prior to his entry into active military service but was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical opinion on the etiology of his alcohol dependence and compulsive gambling problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to incomplete research on his alleged stressors experienced in Saudi Arabia during Operation Southern Watch.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of rationale in a March 2009 opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or TBI, and any diagnosed conditions are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, did not have its onset during active service and is unrelated to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates or equates to total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 15, 2000. The RO granted a TDIU effective from August 15, 2000, based on his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) have been granted as the evidence shows a diagnosis of these conditions related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depression, diabetes mellitus, type II (due to herbicide exposure), a heart disability, residuals of cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, and disequilibrium have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat or provide credible evidence corroborating his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events. The issues of increased rating for inguinal hernias and service connection for PTSD are pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and hepatitis C during the October 2013 hearing on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and an updated opinion on whether he is unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted due to the presence of a current diagnosis and credible evidence linking it to an in-service sexual assault.