PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including panic disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on medical evidence, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and a right knee disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection based on a diagnosis related to fear of hostile military activity during his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The symptoms associated with his PTSD do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective June 1, 2009. The Board has restored the original 70% rating as it is determined that there was no evidence of sustained improvement in the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a pain disorder associated with psychological factors and a physical condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in the April 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining terminal hospitalization records and appointing a representative. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression was denied as there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has improved to the point where it no longer meets the criteria for a 100% disability rating, warranting a reduction to 70%. The RO reduced his rating from 100% to 70% effective September 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, now diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, resulted in reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as impairment of memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board found that the evidence supported a 50 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining new examinations and opinions for sleep apnea, hypertension, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran is likely to have had PTSD due to his service in Vietnam, and granted service connection for this condition.