PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD, alone, causes total occupational and social impairment. The Board is granting a higher 100 percent schedular rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, effective from March 2007. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to his failure to appear at the scheduled hearing. A new travel board hearing will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss are granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and noise exposure during service resulting in current right ear hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no verified in-service stressor. As a result, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and earlier effective date for PTSD are being remanded due to outstanding development needs.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is present.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, features of PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent effective October 18, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran engaged in combat during service and his PTSD is consistent with the circumstances, conditions or hardships of such engagement. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical services provided by University Community Hospital of Tampa, Florida. The appeal is currently pending and denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically psychosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to the evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to his Vietnam experiences, despite an inability to verify specific stressors.