PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted as his claimed trauma is consistent with his military service and there are two positive nexus opinions linking his current PTSD to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's PTSD is diagnosed and linked to his service stressors, thus service connection for PTSD is granted. The other issues are not addressed as they do not pertain to service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression is granted as the claimed stressor event is considered verified, and there is a link between current symptoms and the in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on any claimed stressor or fear of hostile military activity, and there is no credible evidence corroborating his alleged in-service stressors. The Veteran also does not have a disability of the left chest wall.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has not manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating total occupational and social impairment, thus the higher initial rating of 70% is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last denial is considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, Adjustment Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder were granted. The right knee disability was increased to 20% and the left knee disability was increased to 10%. TDIU was also granted.

The Board has reopened several claims but denied service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was not established for arthritis of the arms, hands, fibromyalgia, headaches, PTSD, unspecified muscle disability, limited eye sight, depression, or residuals of circumcision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 26, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence received since the last final rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment records. His claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for sarcoidosis are also inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of medication prescribed for his service-connected PTSD, which is considered a principal cause of death. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is now moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD found to be present, and express an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability other than PTSD is related to in-service trauma or injury.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 16, 2010 and has been granted a rating of 70 percent or higher from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, which are considered direct service connection as they were diagnosed in conformance with DSM-IV standards.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which includes claustrophobia and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The lung disorder claim remains pending as the evidence is not sufficient to establish a direct relationship to service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking his claimed stressors to his current symptoms. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and a gastrointestinal disorder (IBS, gastritis, Grave's Disease) have been granted. The effective date for the GI disorder is set at February 12, 2001.