PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim of skin disability was not addressed as it had already been previously denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on May 20, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by any verified incident of active service. The schedular criteria for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, an initial rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension, and initial ratings greater than 30 percent for diabetic retinopathy with glaucoma of the bilateral eyes, as well as initial ratings greater than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's claims are supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors and medical nexus to service.

The Board determined that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death from esophageal cancer, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are such that he is currently prevented from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service experiences and grants the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records from the Frankfurt Hospital in Germany.

The Veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the evidence does not support a finding of combat experience. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic PTSD is being remanded due to the need to search for relevant military documentation regarding his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since April 16, 2007. The VA found that the symptoms of PTSD do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more recent VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims as they are now moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or maintaining employment for which his education and experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to present testimony at a video conference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome were granted effective from January 25, 2002. The Board found that the earlier effective date of June 13, 2000 was appropriate based on new service treatment records received after a prior final decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, while the claim for panic disorder with Agoraphobia is pending. The Veteran was awarded a non-compensable rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of all symptoms affecting his occupational and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected as there is no verified or corroborated in-service traumatic event to support a diagnosis of PTSD.