PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD were denied. The claim was reopened on new evidence, resulting in a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, Major depressive disorder, and Generalized anxiety disorder are found to be related to his active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD. The evidence shows an anxiety disorder, but no diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim regarding whether his character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits due to new evidence indicating mental health issues. The issue remains pending as further development, including obtaining records related to the second review by the Department of Defense Special Discharge Review Program, is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, render him unable to obtain or maintain any form of substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and respiratory disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 50 percent initial rating effective December 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that the October 2004 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE), thus granting the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his death, granting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression, polysubstance abuse, and antisocial personality disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and a skin disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, are denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions during service or post-service medical records that support the current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for cancer of any extremity, bilateral knee disability, right foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine his employability solely due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, throughout the period of the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that it is directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to procedural and evidentiary issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination. The claim will be reviewed on the merits after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective December 3, 2013. This is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily with routine behavior, self-care, and conversion normal.