PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression with mental breakdown, but denied his claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a personal assault stressor and consideration of all psychiatric diagnoses in accordance with Clemons.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess his PTSD and adding all outstanding VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised by the record.

The Veteran's PTSD, right and left patellofemoral pain syndromes have been rated based on their current manifestations. The RO has remanded the case for further development to determine if there is any additional evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 17, 2008. The rating is based on the current manifestations of his condition and does not exceed this level.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 24, 2001 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for PTSD are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 21, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and associated symptoms. His bilateral hearing loss is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The upper respiratory disability issue is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD and to address the issue of employability due to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 25, 2009 and was increased to 50 percent effective March 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Headache Disorder is related to service, but his Residuals of a Head Injury and Acquired Psychiatric Disability (to include PTSD or Bipolar Disorder) are not related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's personality disorder is a congenital disease and does not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not aggravated by service or subject to superimposed disease or injury in service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any other psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is otherwise etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is a result of verified in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, which were previously denied in 2008. The claim is now reopened.

The Board found that the Veteran's allegations of Vietnam service and stressors were not credible, and thus denied his claims for PTSD and diabetes due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 11, 2002. The Board finds that the disability picture associated with PTSD during the period prior to February 13, 2008 more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining whether a specific in-service stressor exists and corroborating it.