PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, as her allegations of sexual assault in service are not credible and she did not serve under combat conditions. The medical evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on an alleged stressor event.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service, including exposure to radiation. He does not have a current diagnosis of pancreatitis or hip disability. His polycythemia was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of pancreatitis. The medical record shows he had an acute episode of pancreatitis shortly after service, but there are no subsequent complaints or diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression as secondary to PTSD, and sleep disorder as secondary to PTSD. Service connection is denied for anxiety and panic attacks as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's cicatricial alopecia (claimed as baldness) is not compensable, but he has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of the rating decision, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is linked to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial higher rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's PTSD has not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating for hearing loss, earlier effective date for PTSD, and specially adapted housing or special home adaptation have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating prior to September 19, 2007. The Board also granted TDIU from June 2, 2005 to September 19, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2011.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent prior to May 10, 2010 and has been increased to 50 percent since that date.

The Veteran's essential tremor and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the PTSD receiving a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent since June 25, 2015. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms which include sleep disturbance, flashbacks, anxiety, hypervigilance, and anger issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment since October 13, 2009. Prior to that date, he was still employed as a truck driver.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea, which may be secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder, will be addressed in the future.

For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD was characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, continuous depression, a desire to isolate himself, feelings of hopelessness, occasional suicidal thoughts without attempt, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and anger and irritability. The Board found that these symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the appeal period.