PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied it on de novo review due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for increased ratings for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and remanded the issue of service connection for Bipolar Disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death due to congestive heart failure. The conflicting medical opinions do not support a finding of contributory cause.

The Board found no evidence of in-service stressors and insufficient supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed PTSD, leading to a denial of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his claim for an increased rating to 70 percent has been granted. His PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD, nasal injuries, and sinusitis are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to evaluate the Veteran's PTSD claim due to the passage of over four years since his last VA examination. The Veteran's representative also contends that he should receive appropriate notification as required by law.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to clarify the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU will also be addressed in this remand.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the extent of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to recent legal precedent requiring consideration of all psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, to include PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period, and his sleep apnea was not found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since service connection was granted, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.