PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective October 2, 2006. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of the veteran's claim for increase in light of all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to December 1, 2004 was denied as he is not shown to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, were denied as there is no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to lack of competent evidence showing that his service-connected diabetes mellitus renders him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was moot due to his increased rating of 100% for PTSD effective from August 13, 2001.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board has determined that the criteria for an initial disability evaluation of 30 percent (but not higher) for PTSD have been met.

The Veteran does not have PTSD currently and has not had it at any time during the pendency of this claim, thus service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of recent outpatient treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of stressors and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as he has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. The claim will be further developed by obtaining service personnel records, verifying alleged stressors, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been rated at 50 percent since June 4, 2008. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidant behavior, and hyperarousal.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military duty and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected status post operative hemithyroidectomy and isthmectomy is not manifested by any residual symptoms, and the evidence does not show fatigability or that it requires continuous medication for control. The Veteran's insomnia was not caused or aggravated by service-connected status post operative hemithroidectomy and isthmectomy. A psychiatric disability other than PTSD was not incurred in active service; it was not caused or aggravated by service-connected status post operative hemithroidectomy and isthmectomy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors related to posttraumatic stress disorder, and the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. For hearing loss, the VA examination showed auditory acuity levels II in both ears, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran was not diagnosed with diabetes during the appeal period, and there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis. For PTSD, the Board found that while the Veteran experienced significant symptoms consistent with his claim, he did not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher rating due to deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.