PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be aggravated by service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition. The issue of increased rating for lumbar degenerative disease remains pending. Service connection for PTSD is also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 50 percent prior to February 25, 2014 and 70 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her in-service stressor and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than MDD, specifically PTSD.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, based on new medical diagnoses provided by VA psychiatrists.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further examination of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted, and his claim for service connection of hypertension was reopened.,PTSD is linked to the Veteran's verified in-service stressor as a mortician in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus was not incurred during service and is denied. For his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depression, cannabis dependence, cocaine dependence, the evidence is mixed with some support for a connection to service but also conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent, as his symptoms do not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows significant social impairment due to his PTSD symptoms but no occupational impairment. He also does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the Appellant's service and obtaining his complete records for U.S. Marine Corps Reserve service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to February 27, 2013, and the Board denied a higher rating. The issues of service connection for GERD and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 21, 2007. The rating for his right shoulder degenerative joint disease was increased to 20 percent effective May 22, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 23, 2009. The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned the initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder is found to be related to an in-service personal assault, and the claim for service connection is granted. The ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for left knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service stressors. The VA will verify if the Veteran experienced mortar or rocket attacks during his service in Vietnam.