PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to stressors that occurred during his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, evaluated as 50 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2007, is shown to be productive of symptoms that included anxiousness, depression, moderate sleep disturbance, and isolating behavior. However, these symptoms do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the claimed stressors were not credible and there is no evidence of in-service trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD aggravated his coronary disease and congestive heart failure, which contributed to his death. The Board finds that PTSD was a contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted based on the evidence showing a link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any of the veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including major depression with mood disorder, PTSD, and an anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found the Veteran's account of a sexual assault during service to be unverifiable and incredible, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability, as well as whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found that there is new and material evidence to support it. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, may also be considered as part of this reopened claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was granted, with the effective date set at October 12, 1993. The decision is based on VA treatment records from that date indicating the Veteran's unemployability due to psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining records of his military service and any relevant private treatment records.

PTSD was initially rated at 70 percent prior to April 22, 2008.,PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective from April 22, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since September 2006. The Board has granted a rating of 70%, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating due to his difficulty in establishing and maintaining work and social relationships, as well as near-continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function independently.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at 50% from October 3, 2008 and increased to 70% effective June 13, 2008. The appeal is granted for the higher evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been denied, and the case is being returned to the Board for further action.

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