PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, finding no credible evidence of the claimed stressors. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by sufficient medical or lay evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and records, including a need for clarification on exposure to toxins while in Germany, obtaining SSA records, and updating VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 20, 2011. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and the severity of his PTSD and depression. The claims are also being considered in light of any new evidence or changes in the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and bipolar affective disorder, but the examiner found no PTSD on the basis of lack of in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied as the earliest possible effective date is July 30, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, effective February 26, 2010. The claim for COPD service connection is pending and not decided.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and type II diabetes mellitus were granted. The Veteran was awarded staged higher initial ratings for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities effective from April 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran currently has PTSD related to his reported stressors. The claim for tinnitus is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, and mood due to symptoms such as hypervigilance, panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, exaggerated startle response, difficulty in employment settings, marital strain, detachment from others, and suicidal ideation. The Veteran's condition more closely approximates the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's suicide was caused by a psychiatric disorder related to his military service, and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found the Veteran's account of an in-service assault to be not credible due to inconsistencies with other evidence, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The depressive disorder was granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is also granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination. The Veteran must be afforded another VA examination and further development is needed, including verification of an alleged stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was granted, while his PTSD claim was denied. The decision is considered mixed as it involves both granted and denied issues.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.