PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals pertaining to sinusitis and residuals of electrical shock. The remaining issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, and hypertension, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an anxiety disorder other than PTSD, and a depressive disorder is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for tinnitus causing depression is also addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and his symptoms were more likely explained by a different diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as 'other specified trauma and stress-related disorder,' PTSD, and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), due to new evidence. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are linked to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not total occupational and social impairment. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of the assigned percentages.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, attributing it to an in-service personal assault. The evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD based on this stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with PTSD is remanded, and he also has an individual unemployability claim that is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The effective date of his service connection has been granted as April 10, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for right knee DJD and anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD, finding that the current conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD prior to December 9, 2015 and for TDIU prior to December 9, 2015 have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for alcohol dependence due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence as secondary to MST.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post stents placement and triple coronary bypass, is rated at 100 percent since May 27, 2010. The Veteran also has a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission. Therefore, the Veteran is granted an initial 100 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) since May 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with schizoaffective disorder was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for her PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, and the Board found that she did not file a petition to reopen her claim until December 5, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety disorder is being remanded. The issue regarding the September 1994 rating decision denying PTSD due to CUE is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 2013 claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is a new claim rather than a motion to reopen. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private or VA treatment records and conducting a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed mental disorders and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify service dates and obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.