PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examinations and reviews of medical records, particularly regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, he does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD consistent with DSM criteria. The Veteran also has an ongoing right ankle disability that is currently rated as noncompensable prior to April 27, 2017, and as 10 percent disabling since then.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The case has been remanded to determine if there is a claim of clear and unmistakable error in any prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, with occupational and social impairment due to deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service stressor of being attacked while on shore leave in the Philippines.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experiences in service and the benefit of doubt has been applied, granting service connection for PTSD. The left knee increased rating claim will be remanded due to lack of Correia compliant examination. The right knee and lumbar spine claims are also remanded as there were no proximate cause opinions provided.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active military service in Thailand. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also service connected.,Service connection was established based on a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service, specifically his time stationed at Korat air base in Thailand.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board has also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service-connection claim for PTSD, and finds that the Veteran's in-service sexual assault stressor is corroborated. Therefore, the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD claim was reopened based on new evidence but still denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptomatology more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling from December 20, 2002 to July 6, 2004 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has granted a 70% rating for the period prior to July 6, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2, 2012, due to significant occupational and social impairment.,His right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent since May 21, 2013, for marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelogenous leukemia was denied, while his PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent. The appeal is mixed as it involves both direct service connection and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following gainful employment at any point during the appeal period, including prior to or after November 9, 2007.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 2, 1978 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence provided in December 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the functional impact of the Veteran's PTSD on his ability to engage in substantially gainful work. The TDIU claim remains pending.