PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further consideration, including the possibility of staged ratings and unemployability in evaluating the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability prior to February 1, 1996. The effective date cannot be revised due to the finality of the December 1992 decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder was withdrawn, and the issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus was also withdrawn. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been set at March 7, 1996.,PTSD is now rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify any in-service stressors and determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and thus could not rely on the presumption of service connection for PTSD. The evidence does not verify all claimed stressors, leading to a denial of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence was presented to support this claim. However, the Board determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-IV criteria and therefore denied service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records, as these may contain relevant information regarding his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding whether his behavioral issues in service are indicative of an in-service sexual assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his fatal coronary artery disease, which was the cause of death. The appellant is granted DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 and denied accrued benefits due to lack of pending claims at the time of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that his current PTSD can be attributed to in-service stressful incidents and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and because the SSA's decision awarding benefits must be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify an alleged in-service stressor and further psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, with an effective date of December 18, 2001.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 2006, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim is now on a de novo basis.