PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD and the claim for secondary service connection for a low back disorder is reopened.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows diagnoses of these conditions and credible testimony regarding in-service stressors. Service connection is granted based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral spine; residuals of a right shoulder injury; intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; right arm radiculopathy as secondary to cervical spine associated with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; and headaches, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was caused by far advanced carcinoma of the pancreas, with abdominal metastasis. The cause and development of his heart condition are not directly linked to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, as evidenced by his symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability, impaired judgment, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships. These symptoms have been constant throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, but further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks from August 31, 2005 to October 31, 2011. Since November 1, 2011, his PTSD has caused reduced reliability and productivity but not deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. He seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as a left ankle disorder that may be secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting symptoms such as depressed mood, intrusive thoughts, sleep impairment, irritability, anger management, panic attacks, obsessive rituals, anxiety, and avoidance behavior that more closely approximate difficulty in maintaining effective work and familial relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and there is no corroboration of his claimed in-service stressor. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional development is required as requested in October 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating from November 7, 2001, through June 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated treatment records, addressing the Veteran's prior diagnosis of PTSD and current diagnosis of schizophrenia, and providing a supplemental VA opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature, onset, and etiology of any psychiatric disorder diagnosed since April 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a disability evaluation of 50 percent, effective as of January 30, 2009. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault, and service connection for this condition is granted.