PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a kidney disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed. The Veteran's psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, is granted as his in-service stressor of witnessing two of his fellow soldiers being brought back to the base, dead, with their bodies mutilated, is related to 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity' and supports a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, headaches, breathing problems (asthma), bilateral shoulder disabilities, ankle disabilities, and knee disabilities, all of which were claimed as due to Persian Gulf War undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood). The Veteran's right foot and left foot disabilities are also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on his combat experience. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and skin disorder of both feet due to in-service noise exposure and other factors.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to May 21, 2008 and at 50 percent from that date. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his PTSD.,The Veteran also seeks an effective date prior to February 1, 2010, for the award of a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his in-service stressors and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to December 2, 2008. The Board found that the evidence supported a rating of 30 percent from November 13, 2007 to December 2, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. A 70 percent rating has been granted since December 3, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a new claim prior to July 25, 2008.

The Veteran does not have verified or verifiable in-service stressors that would support a clinical diagnosis of PTSD, and thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional due process considerations, including notification of the new version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) and a VA psychiatric examination to determine whether his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic low back disorder due to inadequate examinations, incomplete records, and need for further clarification of the severity of symptoms and their effects on occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his symptoms are related to any in-service stressors. The issue of service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, for purposes of accrued benefits.,The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and employment records. The VA examiner will provide an addendum to their previous examination report.