PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are incurred in active duty, with service connection being granted.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and tinnitus service connection have been granted, with the effective dates set at May 15, 2008 for PTSD and May 26, 2010 for tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and schizophrenia. However, the evidence does not establish a verified in-service stressor or current diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C were denied, while his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as sleep disturbance, irritability, feelings of detachment from family, anxiety and panic-like symptoms, flat affect, and social avoidance but generally getting along well with family and co-workers. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to December 5, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. Since December 5, 2011, his PTSD has met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to service. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a statement of the case on his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also raised.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault stressor has not been corroborated and there is no credible evidence of a current disability, a link between her service and any diagnosed condition, or a nexus between her claimed in-service stressor and any current acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been shown to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including disturbance of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board grants his appeal for a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since June 14, 2010. The disability is characterized by moderate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. K.M.G., D.O. and providing an addendum opinion regarding whether service-connected PTSD significantly contributed to or hastened the Veteran's heart condition that caused his death.

The Board has combined the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Recurrent Depressive Disorder into a single issue. The appeal is granted as the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to January 5, 2012, most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Since then, the Veteran has continued to experience moderate symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 25, 1981. The earlier effective date is based on the receipt of a stressor statement from the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence. The Veteran's back disability claim is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 7, 1997, for the award of service connection for PTSD as a freestanding claim over which the Board does not have jurisdiction.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand, right foot, and left foot numbness as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse.