PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the Veterans Law Judge who conducted the hearing has left the Board. The case will be scheduled for a new video conference hearing at the local RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and related phobias, were incurred during his military service. The claim for depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of pre-service onset or service connection. The claim for PTSD is also denied due to lack of in-service occurrence and no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 2007, and later increased to 50 and 70 percent. A TDIU was granted effective from April 2009. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent since October 13, 2006. An increased evaluation to 50 percent is granted effective January 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of his PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, memory loss, muscle spasm, and joint pain. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to his military service, particularly his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, right foot fracture, low back strain, and right knee patellar tendonitis were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death, as well as to ensure all pertinent records are obtained.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a stressor related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, a PTSD examination, and readjudication of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and major depressive disorder, warrants an initial rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder warrants a higher initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective December 12, 2008. The appellant is also entitled to a TDIU from February 3, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at a 50 percent rating since December 2007, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this level during any portion of the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but without total occupational and social impairment. The rating is mixed as some issues have been granted (30% prior to September 22, 2010) while others are denied (70% from September 22, 2010 onwards).

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent disability rating since June 12, 2012. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, with the stressors being directly linked to his military experience. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and GAD were not service-connected prior to August 15, 2009. The effective date for service connection was set at August 15, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and elbow disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left arm.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disorders clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and whether they were aggravated by events in active service. The Veteran's chemical dependency is also being considered as secondary to her PTSD.

The Veteran's chest scar is considered service-connected as it is a residual of a shell fragment wound sustained during active duty. The digestive disability, including ulcers and GERD, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset in service or being related to the service-connected PTSD.