PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis and post-service medical records showing onset of hypertension. Service connection on a secondary basis was also denied because there was no competent evidence linking the hypertension to his service-connected PTSD or herbicide exposure. For PTSD, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating from 30% to over 70% was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new examination by a psychiatrist, and considering the issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to discrepancies in the Veteran's reported PTSD symptoms and a need for updated medical examination. The claim is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, did not have its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. The cardiovascular disease to include hypertension was also denied as having had its clinical onset in service or being related to active duty.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is causally or etiologically due to service, and the Board grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is service-connected, but his PTSD claim was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to January 7, 2013 and 50 percent disabling from that date.,PTSD symptoms have changed such that the Veteran now meets criteria for a higher rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding his claimed PTSD and scheduling him for a VA examination of his right knee.

The Board has found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, to include Crohn's Disease, is not related to her active military service. The claims for PTSD and autoimmune hepatitis are remanded as the Veteran requested a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured skull are currently rated as 40 percent disabling prior to May 17, 2010 and 0 percent thereafter due to separate ratings for posttraumatic headaches and PTSD.,Posttraumatic headaches have been granted a compensable rating since November 7, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, narcissistic personality disorder, personality disorder NOS, bipolar disorder type I with psychotic features, substance abuse, and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired mental disorders was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to verifying the Veteran's claimed MST stressor and for additional development of his psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder impingement syndrome was rated at 20 percent, PTSD with anxiety/depression was rated at 30 percent from February 23, 2011, and the claim for a right knee disability was not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 5, 2010. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury to both lower extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board finds that his appeal for TDIU must be granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, claiming it is due to an in-service personal assault. The Board finds further development is needed as the current evidence does not adequately address his claim and additional records are required.

The Veteran's folliculitis barbae of the face and neck was granted service connection in September 1999 with an effective date of April 23, 1981. The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection in May 2000 with an effective date of December 23, 1998. The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection in November 2003 with an effective date of June 20, 2000.,The Board has determined that the earlier effective dates for folliculitis barbae of the face and neck (April 23, 1981), PTSD (December 23, 1998), and IBS (June 20, 2000) are granted.