PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in service, and the Board finds that he has a current disability manifested by unspecified hand movement. The claim for PTSD is granted, while the claim for disability manifested by unspecified hand movement is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 12, 2008. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initially compensable evaluation for status post fusion scars, midline low back and posterosuperior iliac crest associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine status post plates with screws at L4-5 and L5-S1 was denied. The Board also found that service connection for PTSD, a bilateral hip disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder is not warranted as secondary to a service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete records, unverified stressor allegations, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to active military service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 1, 2005. Effective from that date, the Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his PTSD.

Since April 30, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service. The decision also acknowledges a secondary service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 18, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating above the assigned levels or reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an initial increased rating for mood disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and his mood disorder symptoms have been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was initially granted but denied for increased ratings. The RO found that the evidence did not show impairment warranting a higher rating from April 25, 2005 to September 13, 2006, and denied an increase prior to that date.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. The underlying merits of the claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, breast cancer residuals, and bladder cancer residuals due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to service.