PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected panic disorder and PTSD without agoraphobia was granted, but the appeals for GERD/IBS and alcoholism were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is as likely as not attributable to traumatic events during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify stressors and obtain relevant VA treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and medical records. The initial compensable evaluation for the left great toe disability will also be addressed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his nicotine dependence and subsequent lung cancer, which in turn caused his death. The VA physician should also determine if there was any connection between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his cause of death.

The Veteran's fatigue is attributed to sleep apnea and PTSD, which are not considered undiagnosed illnesses related to service in the Persian Gulf War. Therefore, service connection for fatigue as due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claim for service connection for PTSD. This includes verifying the appellant's reported stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine whether he has a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria, and if so, whether this condition was caused or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right knee disability, are found to be so disabling that he is in need of regular aid and attendance. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by periods of depressed mood and isolation, irritability, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, anger spells, lack of motivation, decreased energy, and mild memory loss. The Board found that the criteria for a 30 percent rating were met.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder in 2001. The Veteran submitted new evidence, but it does not relate to an unestablished fact that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including to provide the Veteran with an examination and review of the claims file by a psychiatrist so that adjudicators can determine the disability evaluation to be assigned for the period from May 17, 1971 to April 20, 2001. A supplemental statement of the case is also required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2010 VA medical examination report.,Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records from Maryview Hospital and OPM disability determinations.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD and his claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder, however, has been diagnosed and considered in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to November 16, 2009. The symptoms included a depressed mood, anxiety, sleep impairment, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been verified, and thus his service connection claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his claim for a substance abuse disorder. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service, and there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric disorders to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD, has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault is corroborated by evidence from other sources, such as behavioral changes following his release from military prison.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The rating is granted.