PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and thus not meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office (RO) failed to comply with its October 2007 remand order and has therefore ordered a new examination, additional development of evidence, and reconsideration of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor and his claims were based on combat experiences, which he did not engage in. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence weighed against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors, and requests for additional records from the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as his claimed stressors are not verified and he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect. The Board finds that his obesity and other medical problems, rather than the service-connected disabilities, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his combat experience in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is associated with an in-service stressor that has been corroborated by credible supporting evidence, and the Board finds service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psychiatric disorders and menorrhagia with anemia, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from 'L&I' and Western State Mental Hospital.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection claims related to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, but the new evidence did not establish service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 50 percent, and his residual scar on the left knee is not compensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms that are productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds a 70 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating of PTSD, which was previously granted with a retroactive effective date of March 28, 2003. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating and whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PSD) was granted, with an effective date of February 12, 2007. The current evaluation is 50 percent for PSD from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to verified in-service stressors, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling new VA examinations to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected PTSD and residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left hand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of claimed stressors and a need for further examination to determine if any current PTSD diagnosis is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and provide him with a new VA examination for his low back strain. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD are also being remanded.