PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, is etiologically related to an in-service stressor event. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA pension benefits was not properly created due to VA's fault, and thus the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders remains pending. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have rendered him unemployable, but the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate to support an adjudication on the merits. The case is REMANDED for another VA examination.

The Board found no CUE in the June 1997 rating decision that assigned an effective date of January 23, 1989 for a total disability rating based on service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and the Veteran is entitled to another hearing before the Board at the Philadelphia RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for an increased rating has been denied. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was not established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including a heart disorder, psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), stroke residuals, and respiratory disorder (COPD). The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking her schizoaffective disorder to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD, right knee disability, and eczema for additional development. The Veteran must be provided with a statement of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's anxiety and mood disorders are found to have been incurred in military service. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and mood disorders, increased evaluation for the lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his psychiatric disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, his headache disability did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, and he did not have PTSD or bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since May 22, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of verified stressors. The Veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible evidence supporting his allegations of witnessing prisoner beatings during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidence, including a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder and PTSD, is now before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board found entitlement to an initial rating not to exceed 30 percent is warranted throughout the period on appeal.