PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and COPD. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the stressors reported were not objectively verified, and his diagnoses of PTSD are based solely on his own history. The Veteran did not serve in combat with the enemy and there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is associated with a reported stressor that occurred during his period of active military service and the Board finds this to be related to his service. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, a lung condition due to asbestos exposure, and colon cancer. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no objective evidence verifying the occurrence of a stressor during his service in Vietnam.

Throughout the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms including flashbacks, sleep impairment, irritability or outbursts of anger, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response and some difficulty establishing and maintaining effective social relationships. This level of impairment is considered to be comparable to no more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault that occurred during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating. The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is not service-connected as it is unrelated to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as his GAF score indicates mild symptoms and he is able to perform activities of daily living. His hearing aids allow him to work in most situations, and his tinnitus is described as bothersome rather than disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 6, 2007. After that date, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder NOS has not resulted in the level of occupational and social impairment required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder have been rated at 100 percent effective September 27, 2007, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral foot/leg disorders are service-connected, but his PTSD claim is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed stressors were not related to combat and have not been corroborated by credible supporting evidence, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, sleep impairment, anxiety, and occasional hallucinations. However, it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than May 31, 1991 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of his claimed in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.