PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a more recent VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee traumatic arthritis render him unemployable, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in severe but less than total occupational and social impairment from November 6, 2003 through August 31, 2007. Since September 1, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence and need for further adjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no confirmed in-service stressor. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and attempt to verify any claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been granted. He is now rated at 70 percent for PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse since October 26, 2004, and has an effective date of October 23, 2003 for the award of service connection for depression and alcohol abuse as secondary to his PTSD, and an effective date of October 23, 2003 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection. The VA medical expert opinion indicated that a rating in excess of 30 percent was warranted, but did not specify an exact percentage. After additional development, the RO confirmed the initial 30 percent rating despite this opinion. As a result, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is granted and he now has an inferred TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected disabilities prior to December 28, 2007. However, on and after that date, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective November 7, 1996. The Board has granted an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to combat-related stressors, and his bronchial asthma is not service-connected.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for verification of a claimed stressor related to PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The issue of reopening a cervical spine condition was reopened due to new and material evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a left lower lobe pulmonary nodule, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran currently has symptoms of PTSD related to his military service, but there is no evidence of a current respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, low back disorder, and PTSD. The claim for a right knee disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The low back disorder and PTSD were also not shown to be incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, as well as his claims for higher ratings for the left knee disorder and rhinitis, have been granted. The issues of service connection for low back disorder and sleep apnea are being remanded.