PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is likely related to his service in the Dominican Republic, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety) and a neurological disability (numbness of the feet and toes), finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, alcohol dependence and cocaine dependence, was not incurred in or aggravated by his service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the deceased service member's discharge in August 1989 was under other than honorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, including drug abuse. The Board found no evidence to upgrade this discharge or establish insanity as a defense. Therefore, the character of the deceased service member's discharge is considered a bar to the appellant's basic eligibility for VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination. The claims for an increased evaluation of PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service experiences and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy were denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence, but the claim itself was not granted as his claimed in-service stressors could not be verified.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the evidence supports a direct link to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 29, 2004. The Board found that the evidence regarding the Navy Achievement Medal with a combat 'V' device should have been obtained by the RO when the Veteran provided evidence he had received this medal.

The Board found no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's toe fungus was not related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional records from SSA and workman's compensation, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for major depression and PTSD, but further development is needed to determine if her current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD caused significant impairment in social relationships and occupational functioning from September 19, 2007 to June 15, 2010. From June 16, 2010 to the present, his PTSD has resulted in severe symptoms including suicidal ideations, paranoia, anxiety, avoidance of certain activities, feelings of isolation and detachment, hypervigilance, as well as sleep disturbances.

The case is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the Veteran's request for additional evidence. The appeal will be handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with chronic alcohol abuse is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his case.

The Veteran's memory loss is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His initial rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The case is also remanded to determine the impact of his service-connected low back disability on employment and to adjudicate his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, thus granting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disability (Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.