PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected psychophysiologic gastrointestinal (GI) reaction with mild anxiety and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder related to his military service, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his experiences in the DMZ during service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at 30 percent prior to June 22, 2011, and later increased to 50 percent on and after June 22, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and depressive disorder NOS, is related to his in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder was initially rated at 10 percent from April 25, 2006. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective March 18, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, HTN, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a stressor related to service or any nexus between current conditions and service.

The Veteran became unemployable due to service-connected PTSD on December 31, 1988. The effective date for the TDIU is set at that time.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing conducted by a VLJ who is no longer employed by the Board. The Veteran is entitled to have another video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The issues of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD since March 1, 2008, and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to in-service stressors and/or any in-service assault, including a verified in-service assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to in-service stressors involving fear of terrorist activity. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection of PTSD was denied in November 1997 due to lack of a diagnosis and credible stressor. The effective date assigned is June 21, 2000, the date he filed to reopen his claim.

From September 20, 2006 until February 21, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD did not cause significant impairment in his ability to function.,From February 21, 2007 until April 11, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD caused reduced reliability and productivity but did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's PTSD disability rating from 50% to 30% was not appropriate due to a lack of actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been presented. The VA psychiatrist diagnosed PTSD, but did not specify any particular stressor as the basis for this diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that no basis existed under applicable law for such a determination.