PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 17, 2007. The rating was increased to 70 percent effective May 14, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his claimed PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder; dissociative disorder; multiple personality disorder; major depressive disorder; depression; and schizoaffective disorder. The examiner will also provide an opinion as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor of witnessing a helicopter crash into the side of a mountain. The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood disorder, is found to be related to his service. His skin disorder is also found to be related to his service. However, the hypertension claim remains pending as further development was required.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and no relationship between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy because the medical evidence did not show a diagnosis of PTSD meeting clinical criteria, and because peripheral neuropathy was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran currently suffers from PTSD, diagnosed under the DSM-IV criteria, which is related to his service in the Gulf War. Headaches are also found to be secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. He also seeks a TDIU prior to May 19, 2009. The case is being remanded due to the need for further examination and analysis.

The Board finds that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits in the form of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, and thus denies the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic prostatitis was granted, with the effective date being December 7, 2010. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran submitted a timely substantive appeal with respect to his claims of service connection for PTSD, residuals of right knee injury, and residuals of burn to the right forearm. The appeal is continued.

The Veteran's PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the right foot, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 11, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) and a dental condition, finding new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending with the issue of whether there is a nexus to military service.

The Veteran was not in receipt of a total disability rating for at least eight years prior to his death, and therefore does not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 2, 2005. This rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded due to his withdrawal of the appeal, but he later requested a hearing. The case is now being reviewed by the Board.

The Board found that the cause of death (blunt force head trauma) was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a 100% disability rating, effective June 14, 2007. This grant of a higher rating renders moot his claim for TDIU as he is already receiving the maximum benefit allowed by law.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including dysthymic disorder and PTSD, are found to be related to his service. His bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20% prior to December 30, 2008 and 30% since then.