PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his diagnosed PTSD is related to the claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or entitlement to service connection before April 8, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as the decision is on hold.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent warranting a higher rating. The current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 50% or higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 20, 2013 and the Board finds that a 70 percent rating is warranted for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the functional effects of his service-connected PTSD on his ability to work and obtaining treatment records from the VA Medical Center in Buffalo.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. Service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD has also been established. The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine for a 90 percent rating and render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims were denied, and the reduction of his GERD rating was found to be improper. The effective date for a 100% PTSD rating is not established as he did not file an earlier effective date claim within one year of receiving the increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the higher disability rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying the Veteran's address, and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examinations have found no link between these conditions and any in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is granted as his diagnosed conditions are related to his in-service stressors, which occurred during combat while stationed in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of a current diagnosis consistent with DSM-IV stressor criteria. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence showing a link between the claimed in-service stressors and the diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation higher than 50 percent for PTSD before the Board could issue a new decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a hepatic disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.