PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his diagnosis of PTSD is based on combat stressors he experienced during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his service in Thailand as a medical corpsman, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, effective February 25, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to July 22, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims for PTSD and residuals of squamous cell nasal cancer, including obtaining service personnel records and examining him for a VA opinion on his in-service stressors and asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to incomplete records from Lackland Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 10, 1997, or a rating in excess of 50 percent from February 10, 1997 to August 6, 1998. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 6, 1998.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disease, kidney disorder, liver disorder and hepatitis B, low back disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were all dismissed as new evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone precludes him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including irritability, angry outbursts, panic attacks, depressed mood, and avoidance of other people, have resulted in severe impairment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total evaluation and an increased rating for PTSD, finding that there was no medical evidence indicating he required convalescence post-surgery or had other conditions necessitating such a rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to address the merits of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the AMC in Washington, DC.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD is pending. The RO has issued a decision granting higher ratings effective November 20, 2007 and April 5, 2008.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder (phobias) incurred in or aggravated by the appellant's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including VA and private treatment records. The issues of service connection for PTSD and residuals of a cyst in groin area are pending.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest due to or as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. The appellant contends that PTSD contributed to these conditions, but the VA examiner found no causal relationship between PTSD and the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent for the period from June 1, 2004 until May 31, 2005 and a temporary total evaluation based on hospitalization is granted for the period from June 1, 2005 until August 31, 2005. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent for the period beginning September 1, 2005.