PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his cognitive disorder was granted, effective October 23, 2008. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a cognitive disorder is set at November 21, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was granted effective August 24, 2004. However, his claims of service connection for a nervous condition (PTSD-like symptoms) and drug addiction were denied in September 1984.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request to reschedule his videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the merits of the claim may be addressed, including obtaining morning reports and other relevant documentation from the Veteran's unit, as well as a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements about racial harassment during service are credible and establishing a link between his current symptoms and in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it is linked to a confirmed in-service stressor related to his friend's death during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor that occurred during his military service. The claim for reopening the bilateral knee disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling as of September 17, 2008. The Board granted an initial rating greater than the currently assigned 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and development due to insufficient detail in previous medical opinions, incomplete documentation of service stressors, and failure to consider updated regulations regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU with an earlier effective date than June 23, 1998, was granted and the effective date set at November 24, 1997.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from February 19, 1997, to June 23, 1998, was denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his anxiety disorder NOS was granted and found to be related to service. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, but he is granted service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his verified in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be etiologically related to her service, specifically the sexual assaults she experienced while on active duty.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include depression (depression), was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective April 18, 2007. The earlier effective date claim for this condition is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and it was incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, personnel records, and examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issue is remanded to allow for additional development and consideration.