PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service. The claim for GERD as secondary to PTSD or NSAIDs prescribed for a service-connected disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety, and depression are related to his in-service experience in Korea. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 24, 2003. The original diagnosis of adjustment disorder was corrected to reflect that the Veteran had been diagnosed with PTSD all along.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a Social and Industrial Survey, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information on his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The RO granted service connection for familial spastic paraplegia in December 2009 and severed it from the Veteran's record effective January 1, 2012 due to clear and unmistakable error.,The RO denied reopening of claims for PTSD and a right foot disability based on lack of new evidence within one year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his reported stressor, which occurred during active duty and is consistent with his Purple Heart award. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression) and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between her current anxiety disorder with sub-syndromal PTSD and military sexual trauma (MST) in service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective May 30, 2013. The earlier effective date issue for TDIU is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, are likely to have been manifested during service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied. His claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending as the VA has not provided a medical opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is also pending.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and medications prescribed for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment from July 15, 1982 to April 23, 1998, warranting a maximum schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is linked to an in-service personal assault for which there is credible supporting evidence. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing PTSD was aggravated by his combat experiences during military service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry into his claims of service connection for PTSD, bone problems including arthritis, bilateral wrist fusion, and a skin disorder.