PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to her in-service miscarriage. However, there is no evidence of a current left ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a 100% schedular rating for PTSD, but not before May 14, 1993.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to January 2, 2011, was also denied as his PTSD alone rendered him unemployable and he received a 100% schedular rating for this condition.

The Veteran's death was caused by alcohol abuse, which is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective May 19, 2000, the date of receipt of the Veteran's reopened claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a gunshot wound claimed as scars secondary to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is granted. The appeal regarding PTSD and drug and alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's representative provided information about his current symptoms, which may affect the evaluation process.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case has been remanded to determine whether the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident occurred in the line of duty or was due to willful misconduct and to schedule a VA examination to assess the current status of his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and depression. The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded to verify stressors and obtain a medical opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressful event which qualifies as a PTSD stressor, and the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD have not been linked to service. As such, the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and effective date for his service-connected PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at December 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU and prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial rating for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, as her previous claims were denied based on insufficient evidence regarding a reported in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent for the period prior to November 3, 2011 and 50 percent thereafter. The claim for higher initial ratings has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion to reconcile conflicting opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not the primary cause of his current OCD, and there is no evidence that his service-connected conditions have caused or permanently worsened his fibromyalgia. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, PTSD, and related disabilities. The decision also confirmed a 10% rating for upper lip scars.

The Veteran's PTSD, post-traumatic headaches, and TBI with memory loss and hypersensitivity to sound and light have been granted initial ratings. The PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the appeal period. The post-traumatic headaches have not met criteria for a higher rating prior to November 16, 2008, but are rated at 30 percent effective that date. The TBI with memory loss and hypersensitivity to sound and light has been granted an initial rating of 40 percent as of October 23, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and the claim to reopen a back disorder. The Veteran's depression and left hip arthralgia issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claims for PTSD, right thumb injury, and other hand injuries were not granted. The TDIU claim is also denied.