PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptoms such as nightmares, irritability, social isolation, and panic attacks several times per week. However, his thought processes have remained logical and coherent, he engages in some obsessional rituals that do not interfere with routine activities, and he is able to attend to self-care. The current evaluation for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 50 percent disability rating, effective from January 2007. The other issues on appeal were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board finds that no higher evaluation is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and residuals of SFW to the neck with retained foreign body are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain information regarding the appellant's claimed stressors and determine if service connection is warranted for PTSD and depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressful experiences were not corroborated by service department records and his acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are not shown to have been incurred as a result of events during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition.

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 insufficient supporting evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, as the Veteran did not engage in combat and there is no corroborating evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, was reopened. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the current diagnosis and service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, heart disease, sleep disorder, and neuropathy of the hands were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are related to his military service, with current diagnoses supported by VA examination reports. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current claim involves entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran engaged in combat and has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection is also granted for IBS as secondary to PTSD. The claim for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 1, 2007. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances that would render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered in deciding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.