PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of her psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not currently have PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression. The VA examinations and clinical records do not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shortness of breath, PTSD, tinnitus, and gout have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his active duty service, which supports a finding of service connection for PTSD. Tinnitus was also linked to his military service. However, the claim for gout is pending as an opinion regarding its onset in service or relation to service has not yet been provided.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since July 19, 2005. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent from February 25, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's reported stressors and those corroborated by service records, requiring a new VA mental health examination.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, which was granted on December 27, 2001. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence from the Jersey City Vet Center.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia and anxiety was initially rated at 30% from June 2, 2004 to April 18, 2007. Since then, it has been rated at 50% since April 19, 2007.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder due to new and material evidence, but it remains denied as there is no verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no service evidence verifying one of his claimed in-service stressors. The preponderance of the evidence, including a recent VA psychiatric examination, is against a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his in-service stressors or exposure. The Veteran's claims were also found to be without merit due to a lack of credible supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to enemy weaponry fire during his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his claimed in-service stressors are supported by credible evidence.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the appellant's claims for PTSD and head injury residuals, as his allegations of assault during service were inconsistent and lacked corroborative evidence. The VA records do not support a diagnosis or stressor related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since May 7, 2003. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify PTSD stressors and determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current disability level is rated as 50 percent disabling.