PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and remanded the issue of service connection for Bipolar Disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death due to congestive heart failure. The conflicting medical opinions do not support a finding of contributory cause.

The Board found no evidence of in-service stressors and insufficient supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed PTSD, leading to a denial of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his claim for an increased rating to 70 percent has been granted. His PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD, nasal injuries, and sinusitis are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to evaluate the Veteran's PTSD claim due to the passage of over four years since his last VA examination. The Veteran's representative also contends that he should receive appropriate notification as required by law.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to clarify the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU will also be addressed in this remand.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and there was no credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the extent of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to recent legal precedent requiring consideration of all psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, to include PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period, and his sleep apnea was not found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since service connection was granted, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since May 2, 2007. The RO granted a higher 50 percent rating for his PTSD effective as of that date.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for phobias, depression, and PTSD due to new evidence. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a claimed in-service sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the appellant's personnel records and developing his claim of service connection for PTSD. The VA will also schedule a new psychiatric examination to address the issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to an in-service stressor. The increased rating claim for headaches was denied as the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and flattened affect. The Board finds that these symptoms do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

Throughout the rating period, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, panic attacks, sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression, anger/rage, some short-term memory problems, and exaggerated startle response. However, it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.