PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 3, 2007 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The effective date is based on a finding that eligibility existed continuously from April 11, 1980 (the date of the effective date of the regulatory amendment adding the diagnostic code for PTSD) to April 3, 2007.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his/her appeal with respect to all issues.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at 30 percent, effective March 3, 2008. The claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The examiner will also address the functional impairment caused by both PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his experiences in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it meets the criteria for a direct grant of service connection due to exposure to hostile military activity during his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in significant impairment, including anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, and social isolation. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a 70% disability rating since April 3, 2008.

The Veteran's death on active duty was not the result of willful misconduct, and eligibility for DIC benefits is established due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with anxiety, depression, and psychotic episodes, that was caused by his service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 26, 2007. The Board finds that the current rating is appropriate as the symptoms do not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Newark RO for scheduling another hearing.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no effective date prior to September 27, 2010 for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not granted, but his PTSD remains service-connected and rated at 70 percent. The decision is mixed as it grants one condition (PTSD) while denying the other (sleep apnea).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ so that a proper request can be made for outstanding VA medical records and a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran suffers from an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and that his symptoms were not related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and thus did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment as of August 12, 2011.