PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further testing and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and an evaluation of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher initial evaluation than the currently assigned 50 percent rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the most recent rating decision and the assignment of a 60 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms that more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment as of April 9, 2007. Prior to this date, the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding whether the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but further development is needed to determine if he engaged in combat and if so, to assess whether he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's request for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to a change in hearing preference.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death and whether it was related to service. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and early degenerative changes of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's heart condition is not considered service connected.,Service connection was established for PTSD based on credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD can be decided.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding a potential stressor event in service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development, including verification of the alleged stressor and another psychiatric evaluation if verified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current diagnosis was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The appeal also included claims for other mental health conditions which were reopened on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus denied the reopening of the claim.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant's current psychiatric condition, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is related to his military service. The appeal will be remanded for further investigation and medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his service-connected conditions and any new or aggravated complications.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 100 percent effective May 14, 2009, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, as there is a current diagnosis of PTSD, credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors, and a medical link between the in-service stressors and the current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and Social Security Administration records.