PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but the Board granted it in October 2002. The RO then awarded past-due benefits of $28,950.87 to the Veteran, with $5,790.17 designated for attorney fees based on a contingent fee agreement signed within one year of the denial decision.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's account of in-service personal assault was verified but a link between his current symptoms and this stressor could not be established.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent before December 16, 2008 and at 70 percent from that date. The claim for higher ratings is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Tinker AFB and Keesler AFB.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unsuccessful attempts to verify a reported sexual assault stressor and to obtain evidence of an arrest for DWI. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about his anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed PTSD related to any in-service stressor and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and thus no basis to establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service event.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is likely due to events he experienced in Korea during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was found to be incurred in active service and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an eye condition, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the left ear. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling since September 26, 2000. He is also service-connected for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and providing VCAA notification.

The Board found that there was no corroborating evidence to support the Veteran's claim of in-service sexual assault, and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to January 25, 2008 and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD. The appeal regarding an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD beginning January 25, 2008 was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The acquired psychiatric disability (likely schizophrenia) claim is also denied due to lack of service connection theory.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical center records and providing the Veteran with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and a scar from a shell fragment wound, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right thumb proximal phalanx fracture and right first toe hallux rigidus are rated as noncompensable, the bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, and PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring proper consideration of all additional evidence received since the most recent statement of the case.