PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The RO denied the claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent prior to August 27, 2008, but granted a 70 percent disability rating effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and his symptoms are related to his in-service stressor. As a result, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service stressors were deemed not credible.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 10 percent rating, which was later increased to 30 percent effective January 14, 2008. The current appeal is about maintaining the 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to specifically include PTSD, was denied as the evidence of record fails to corroborate her reported stressor.,Service connection is also denied for hypertension, stroke residuals, hysterectomy residuals, and diabetes mellitus as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 30, 2005, and in excess of 50 percent as of November 30, 2005.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder due to service, and concluded that his personality disorder was not related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service and stressors.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied, with the RO granting a 30 percent evaluation effective from April 9, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the award of a TDIU and his statement that he no longer wishes to pursue his other claims.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was denied. However, the Board found that he has a current diagnosis of depressive disorder and anxiety disorder with PTSD features, which is etiologically related to his in-service stressors.,Service connection was granted for MGUS as it is considered a progression of the Veteran's asymptomatic condition. The Board determined that there is no evidence linking the MGUS to exposure to asbestos or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which was incurred as a result of active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to a verified in-service stressor and has been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation of 70 percent due to service-connected disabilities meets the criteria for consideration under 4.16(a) for TDIU, but the evidence does not support a finding that his service-connected conditions alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by joint pain or headaches and nausea, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.