PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that was not reviewed by the RO. The case will be reconsidered and a decision will be made based on all available information.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent effective July 11, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms from this date onward more closely approximated a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been granted. The application to reopen a previously denied hearing loss claim was not successful due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted as it is considered to be due to a personal assault during service, and the Board found in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of a personal assault during active military service, and she has been granted service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal disability is not found to be secondary to her psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and possibly scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the lack of verification for his claimed in-service stressor and because he has asserted that his hearing loss disability has worsened since his last VA examination. The case will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault during military service. The claim of reopening the service connection for depression (also diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia) is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and degenerative lumbar spine and disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on combat service in Vietnam was denied due to lack of evidence of such service. The issue of personal assault-related PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and there was no indication of exposure to herbicide or asbestos during service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that an effective date of April 1, 2005 is appropriate for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PSD). An earlier effective date prior to July 25, 2005 is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, bilateral heel spurs, and a bilateral ankle disability, are not related to his military service. The Veteran did not exhibit these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the RO has not granted a higher rating.,The Veteran's residuals of GSW to the right elbow are currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has not granted a higher rating.