PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported stressors need to be verified, and a new medical examination is needed to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental condition, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination provided. The examiner did not consider possible diagnoses other than PTSD and must be asked to provide an opinion regarding whether any diagnosed mental disorder is related to his combat service in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied his appeal for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of PTSD as there is no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if they are sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have PTSD during service and there was no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be a direct service-connected condition, contributing substantially and materially to his death by suicide. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at 30 percent since February 18, 2004. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as there is no occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's PTSD claim due to incomplete testing and conflicting diagnoses. The Veteran will be provided with psychological testing, and an updated opinion on whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service will be requested.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent, effective February 6, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his cervical spine, bladder disability, and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to a failure to timely file a Substantive Appeal. The issues of diabetes mellitus and stomach disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death, injuries due to blunt impact to the head, was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking his psychiatric disorders to active duty service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been received. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence to corroborate the alleged stressor events in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the claim for a higher initial evaluation remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The decision also grants secondary service connection for her major depressive disorder due to a service-connected back disability.

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