PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and a depressive disorder, which are linked to his active service in Vietnam. Therefore, the criteria for establishing service connection have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to her military service, granting service connection for these conditions. The issues of secondary service connection for headaches (to include as secondary to PTSD) and left knee disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC at the 'o' level due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's request to substitute as a claimant on the issue of whether a June 2002 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The appeal is being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this disability. The Board found that his symptoms have not significantly changed and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from November 29, 2010. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The appellant's current psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been granted at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the appellant's service-connected PTSD alone renders him unemployable. The case is also remanded for obtaining all of the appellant's VA treatment records from March 2010 to present.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are related to service, and grants service connection for this condition. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is not service connected as there was no verified stressor. A cognitive disorder is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety reaction has been rated at 50 percent since April 11, 2001. The Board finds that the disability more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder that is directly related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further verification of in-service stressors and hostile contact, as well as a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as there was no factual entitlement to the benefit prior to January 26, 2006.

The Board finds that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD and/or bipolar disorder. The claim for increased rating of bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD causes no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to August 27, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder. The issues of PTSD and a right hip disability remain on appeal.