PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a Left Hip Disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of stressors and a need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent from November 4, 2002 to November 9, 2005. A higher rating of 70 percent was granted effective November 10, 2005, and a 100 percent rating has been assigned since April 16, 2007.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating prior to August 26, 2004 due to service-connected PTSD.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for chest pain, PTSD and depressive disorder were denied as they are not service-connected. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted but with initial evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent until April 8, 2008 and at 70 percent from April 9, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which reflects mild to moderate occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 27, 2005 for a 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted as the criteria for such rating were met from March 12, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD related to his service, and thus, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to his military service and a diagnosis of PTSD based on an independently verifiable in-service stressor is not shown by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are permanent and total, qualifying him for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 of the Veterans Benefits Act.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the Veteran's claimed PTSD and to verify any stressors associated with his service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2002 for service connection of PTSD was granted. His PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from November 28, 2005 and he is also entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has PTSD as a result of confirmed stressors during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a 100 percent rating based on total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence, but has denied the underlying claim as the Veteran's account of events is not credible and an inservice stressor cannot be verified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no objective evidence verifying the occurrence of any claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD. A VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.