PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings for PTSD and secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if they are service-connected.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and tinnitus were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The appeal for PTSD was remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

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

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to September 24, 1997.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a service-connected psychiatric disability, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD in service and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to her military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating remains pending. The current rating adequately reflects his symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since April 13, 2005. The claim for an earlier effective date is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran was scheduled for a Travel Board hearing but did not participate.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his verified stressor in service. The Veteran must provide more details about specific incidents or events that occurred during his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on receipt of new and material evidence. The underlying merits of the service connection claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since March 6, 2006. The rating is based on the current symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been primarily manifested by various symptoms including intrusive thoughts, feelings of anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability and anger, periods of depression and anxiety, hypervigilance, an exaggerated startle reflex, concentration problems, avoidance of people and situations that remind him of Vietnam, and short term memory problems. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding such a level of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to PTSD symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 14, 2003 for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for neuropathy is reopened but service connection is not granted due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a heart disability secondary to PTSD and an increased rating for PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations, and readjudicating the issues.