PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 15, 2006. Throughout the rating period on appeal, his symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and depression, is due to his willful misconduct during service.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is associated with an inservice stressor related to fear of hostile military activity, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses include depression and anxiety disorders, but not PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be causally related to active duty service and granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that these conditions alone render him unemployable.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The issue is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to request certain documents related to a Merchant Marine Physical Examination report signed by a VA physician in June 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder is due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, as his lay testimony concerning fear of hostile military activity is consistent with the places, types and circumstances of his service in Vietnam. VA psychiatrists have found such stressors sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD and related his current symptoms to these stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors, including witnessing a helicopter crash and being an IED sweeper during service. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and allowing his representative to submit a statement. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is attributable to his military service, but does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is as likely as not related to his combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing before the Board.