PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, breathing problems (including as a result of allergies), and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no independent competent and credible evidence of record to verify the occurrence of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new evidence submitted since the July 2002 RO decision. The issue of the merits of the claim will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran experienced an in-service stressor or currently has PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective April 27, 2004. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the claim and thus the effective date is set as of the date of the increase.

The Veteran's claim for SMP was withdrawn. The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, which renders moot the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does suffer from PTSD and that this condition is sufficiently linked to a verified stressor, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin condition related to his military service, and thus denied service connection for this claim. The issue of tinnitus was remanded due to the Veteran's complaints about communication during the VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of complaints including exaggerated startle response, irritability, and social isolation. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD that is related to service. The Board found no evidence supporting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatrist examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 30 percent since October 2005. Service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder from April 26, 2006. The effective date is not specified as the claim was reopened and evaluated under new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service connection claims, including verification of stressors and PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.