PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current medical diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that his current psychiatric condition is related to his period of active service. His claim for an increased disability rating for lumbar strain is also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to insufficient explanation of the less probative value assigned to private medical evidence, failure to consider all pertinent evidence, and not considering staged ratings. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination for his PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's in-service stressor and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD and Depression was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD more closely approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating, warranting an increase from the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing correspondence and missed examination. The Veteran will be asked again to submit information corroborating a sexual or personal assault during service, and he will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further consideration due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bipolar disorder as separate from his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has been denied. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is also denied, as the evidence does not support a finding that his current disability level warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective June 2, 2010. The Veteran's DM remains rated at 10 percent prior to June 2, 2010 and 20 percent beginning June 2, 2010. TDIU was denied as the evidence does not establish that the Veteran became unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 2, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and COPD as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's disabilities were not found to be directly related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 13, 2005.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran has current diagnoses of major depressive disorder and PTSD related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

For the period prior to April 23, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships but without evidence of total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD from April 20, 2010, to April 21, 2015 was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from his vocational expert and procuring additional VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services or the Undersecretary for Benefits for an opinion regarding extraschedular entitlement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his Vietnam service and have established a link between his current PTSD symptoms and these experiences. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychological disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxious mood, is at least as likely as not related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder, related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.