PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthralgia of the skeletal joints, myalgia, gastrointesintal disability (claimed as a stomach disorder), and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been granted. The Veteran's psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has also been granted. An increased rating for his low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% disabling, effective February 25, 2008. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids has been reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 5, 2008.,Prior to that date, the Veteran was previously rated at 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his in-service military stressors, and he has Persian Gulf Syndrome that is service-connected.

The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or skin basal cell carcinoma of the forehead. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD and depression are related to his military service, including a confirmed in-service stressor involving an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol in June 2005. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and therefore cannot establish service connection for PTSD based on a verified stressor. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to an in-service personal assault stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's combat experience in Korea resulted in a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he is capable of working in a less stressful environment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD is as likely as not attributable to personal assault during his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD with secondary depression. The RO has granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent rating effective from August 8, 2007, and later increased it to 50 percent effective October 1, 2012. However, the claim remains on appeal as the Veteran seeks an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD results in impairment approximating deficiencies in most areas but not total impairment, and he has a rating of 70 percent. The evidence suggests that the service-connected psychiatric disability is of such nature and severity as to prevent the Veteran from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to additional information provided by the Appellant and new medical evidence. The case is now pending further development and review.