PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 17, 2007. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and erosive gastritis were granted service connection. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ventral hernia repair scar, leaving only the issue of PTSD with a 50% evaluation still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis is supported by a verified in-service stressor of rocket attacks while stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and a bilateral knee disability were denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD remains in appellate status. The RO/AMC is directed to obtain SSA records, VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's PTSD, and a new VA examination to determine the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms warrant a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted an increased initial disability evaluation for PTSD from 30% to 50%, effective June 6, 2002. The other issues were not addressed in the decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in December 1997. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence from NARA that corroborated his claimed stressors, and the effective date of service connection is set at November 23, 1994.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The Board has determined that reconsideration of prior decisions based on newly discovered service department records is required.

The Board found that the Appellant's PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, and psychosis are due to disease or injury incurred in active duty for training.

The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting medical diagnoses and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a grant of total disability for individual unemployability.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim as there was no in-service stressor verified.

The Board has remanded the case to verify a claimed stressor and obtain updated medical records before deciding whether new evidence supports reopening the claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete stressor verification and requests for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of removal of a left testicle and PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran's undescended left testicle was a congenital defect, not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is a result of in-service combat stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, requesting SSA disability benefits information, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all current psychiatric pathology.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive features effective March 31, 2006. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence and the effective date is set at March 31, 2006.