PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military service, while his erectile dysfunction is not proximately due to or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. His peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was considered a complication of his diabetes mellitus. However, he did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from July 22, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms of chronic anxiety with panic attacks, moodiness/crying spells, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, social isolation and inability to maintain appropriate meaningful personal relationships, and insomnia/sleep disturbance have resulted in occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and frostbite of the hands and feet was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to unverified stressors and the need for verification of specific events. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, as there is no objective evidence of a service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and ensuring compliance with a prior remand.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA medical examination and consideration of service-connected disabilities in isolation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 16, 2008, and increased to 70 percent from that date. The current ratings are within the range for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records from January 2008. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and found that new and material evidence has been received. The issue is now on the merits.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating, warranting an increased disability rating of 50 percent effective May 12, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are mild and do not cause occupational or social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran's postoperative hemorrhoidectomy does not warrant a compensable evaluation due to its current non-compensable status. The claim for reopening of service connection for ulcerative colitis has been denied as the new evidence received is not material.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a new VA examination for his anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, impaired impulse control, difficulty in adapting to stressful relationships, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 50% disability rating, effective May 12, 2006. Service connection for PTSD is established and the effective date of service connection is set at May 12, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, and his claims for rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis are granted based on direct service connection. The claim to reopen for ulcerative colitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim was received.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from September 12, 2003 to July 21, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The RO denied the claim for an increased rating for PTSD.