PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran did not submit timely notices of disagreement or substantive appeals for his claims, and thus dismissed these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD to be reopened. The claim will now proceed on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 15, 2002. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to April 20, 2007 and since April 20, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD results in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating effective April 25, 2003. Effective the same date, TDIU and Dependent's Education Assistance are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective from September 21, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from various sources, including Social Security Administration records, service medical personnel records, and stressor verification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being reviewed to determine if it contributed to his death from coronary artery disease. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU rating due to insufficient notice provided by VA, as well as the need for additional development of his medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed in-service assault and potential secondary service connection for GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service with the U.S. Coast Guard, including participation in search and rescue missions, qualifies as a credible stressor for PTSD. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's death was related to service, his PTSD, or medication prescribed for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, earlier effective date for PTSD service connection, and service connection for arthritis of the left hand, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and hypertension were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including proper notification regarding a personal assault stressor and efforts to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied both his claim for PTSD and his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim for residuals of injury to right little finger with hypesthesia.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for PTSD, finding that the disability is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as there is no valid claim to consider due to the dismissal of her CUE claim against the August 1988 administrative decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current disability rating of 30 percent is maintained.

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