PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his service in Vietnam and experienced stressors related to this engagement.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his in-service stressor and obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD related to an in-service stressor, and his dysthymic disorder is not shown to be caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The issues of secondary service connection for PTSD and Dysthymic Disorder are therefore mixed.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability in service or due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at a hearing. The case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining the outcome of the appellant's application to upgrade his discharge and considering evidence regarding his mental state during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 23, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest effective date allowed by law and regulation for the grant of service connection for PTSD is January 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as a result of treatment at a VA facility. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the nature and etiology of his mental health disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, without considering his age and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, claimed as PTSD/personal assault, is not service-connected. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determining whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The Veteran's symptoms have been diagnosed as depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, panic attacks, depression and bipolar disorder, are related to her service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to procedural defects in the reduction of his PTSD rating from 100 percent to 50 percent effective January 1, 2010. The RO/AMC must consider the relevant regulations pertaining to rating reductions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination of the Veteran's PTSD.