PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer and PTSD claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in either case.

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

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a bamboo stick to the rectum do not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating. The VA examiner found no residual disabilities other than occasional abdominal pain, and thus did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claimed PTSD was denied as there is no verifiable stressor to support a diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymia are rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The hearing loss remains noncompensably disabling.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating under DC 5271. The Veteran's PTSD appeal was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent since April 30, 2003. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a 50 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms and assigns this higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for left wrist and rib fractures are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted a 10 percent evaluation for her hypothyroidism. The issues of service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and increased evaluations for myalgia have been addressed.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, effective October 23, 1992. The Veteran's former attorney was eligible to receive a portion of past-due benefits set aside for payment of attorney fees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's combat experiences in Vietnam. For his hypertension claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if he has diabetic nephropathy and whether it is at least as likely as not that his hypertension is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Gene Taylor community-based outpatient clinic and considering the possibility of service connection for another acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 12, 2003. As of September 19, 2008, the VA examiner found that his PTSD symptoms have worsened significantly to a level where he presents a risk to others and is struggling to manage his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD or any compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and verifying claimed in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and pain syndrome due to traumatic injury, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a chest cavity injury with retained foreign body. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish that the claimed stressors occurred during service.