PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a heat injury, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his combat experience in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War is sufficient to establish the occurrence of a stressor related to his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors and thus failing to establish a link between his current symptoms and any in-service event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including as secondary to a service-connected low back disability, were denied. The claim for the initial rating higher than 10 percent for his low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD were not shown to be caused or aggravated by events during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been corroborated, and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his condition.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is etiologically related to service and was aggravated by active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial evaluation to 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the newly submitted evidence was not material as it did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30 percent, with symptoms including paranoia, suspicion, guilt, shame, difficulty controlling temper, legal trouble, poor concentration, lack of motivation, social isolation, avoidance behavior, sleep impairment, and hypervigilance. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus, cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied as he does not have the disease. Service connection for PTSD prior to June 17, 2004 is granted at a 50% rating, but no higher. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to that date was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total occupational and nearly total social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and clinical records associated with the Veteran's incarceration.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been found to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination.