PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA PTSD examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 14, 2002 and a TDIU was granted as of the same date.,Effective September 1, 2004, the rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to combat noise exposure during service and his service-connected right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his congestive heart failure, which caused his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also granted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressful experiences have not been corroborated by service records, and any diagnosis of PTSD was based on an unverified account. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding his initial increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD from February 20, 2006 to April 9, 2007 was rated at 50 percent. From April 9, 2007, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his social and industrial impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in areas such as judgment, thinking, family relations, work, and mood. The VA has granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that an effective date of July 11, 2004 is warranted based on the medical evidence showing PTSD symptoms during the year prior to the established date of claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material to reopen the claims.

The Veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records from Battle Creek VAMC and for scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 7, 2001. The symptoms have included anxiety, fear, poor sleep, nightmares, crying spells, vigilance, and quickness to anger.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions and failure to adequately discuss the credibility of lay statements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD due to in-service stressors that have been corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors in Vietnam and obtain unit history reports.