PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and medical records from VA and non-VA providers.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent effective March 13, 2008. Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined to be 70 percent disabling. However, the evidence does not show that these conditions alone prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent from October 2, 2002 to May 24, 2004 and at 50 percent from August 1, 2004 to the present.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, to include acute appendicitis, perforated diverticular sigmoid colon, and ruptured diverticulum with abscess formation; a psychiatric disability, to include paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is etiologically related to a verified in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 10 percent rating effective August 30, 2006. In July 2009, the RO increased his rating to 30 percent effective July 22, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD and left knee disability have been granted increased ratings, with the PTSD rated at 50% and the left knee disability rated at 10%. The evidence does not show that these conditions are so exceptional or unusual as to require referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, which reflects moderate impairment in occupational and social functioning. The appeal for increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need to consider whether other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service and to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and assigned a 50 percent disability rating, effective from June 22, 2005. The Veteran is seeking an increased initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia was granted a 70 percent rating effective July 29, 2004. The appeal is for an increased rating and service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The current evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine whether the Veteran's combat-related stressor was severe enough to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was denied due to her fault in creating the debt and because repayment would not cause undue hardship.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent prior to February 26, 2008 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The current rating is appropriate based on the severity of her PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depression are linked to in-service stressors, including a base attack during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted, with a current evaluation of 70 percent.