PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The Board finds that the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of PTSD remains pending as it did not meet the criteria for a valid diagnosis at the time of the April 2010 VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD could not be attributed to his military service due to a lack of independently verifiable in-service stressful experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 50% prior to September 14, 2008 and increased to 70% from September 14, 2008 to September 14, 2009. The decision on the sleep disorder claim is pending.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's psychiatric disability pre-existed active service, but also found that it was aggravated by service. The Veteran's current PTSD and depression are therefore considered to be service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and residuals of shrapnel wounds to various body parts, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the original rating decisions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange, during his active duty in Thailand and Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since May 22, 2013. This rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective from April 9, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 30 percent.

The Veteran's major depression with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective from November 10, 2008.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, and his PTSD claim has been granted based on new evidence. The effective date for the PTSD rating is not specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide addendum opinions from the July 2013 VA examiners regarding hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2008. From October 2, 2008 to September 11, 2013, the evidence showed that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, as well as potential development of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, render him unable to engage in or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM-IV criteria.,Service connection for dermatophytosis of the feet was granted based on evidence showing a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his PTSD claim.