PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA treatment records from December 2008 and any other relevant records, schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination, and ensure that he receives proper VCAA notice.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent. The appellant's symptoms include chronic insomnia, bouts of crying, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, anger, isolating behavior, difficulty with trust, and a sense of not having long to live.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD in April 1986. The Veteran requested to reopen his claim on January 13, 2004, but there is no evidence of a request prior to that date. Therefore, an effective date prior to January 13, 2004, cannot be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 9, 2001 and a higher initial evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran was granted service connection in May 2004 with a 50 percent rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective September 2004, increased to 50 percent in June 2007, and then further increased to 70 percent from October 9, 2008. The appeal is for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD results in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, based on the Veteran's reported in-service personal assaults.

The Veteran's PTSD diagnosis is based on his service in the Merchant Marines, which does not qualify for VA compensation benefits. The Board found no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors during service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and denied an increased rating for residuals of gunshot wound to Muscle Group XVII, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's condition was found to be related to his medical problems rather than to PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically major depression with PTSD, was initially evaluated at 30 percent for the period from April 29, 2005 to January 15, 2007. The evaluation was increased to 50 percent beginning January 16, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to be productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease and remanded both issues on appeal, including a potential secondary service connection issue. Additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD and whether heart disease is related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a 50% disabling evaluation for PTSD is dismissed as it cannot be established by a request for revision based on CUE due to a final rating decision in November 1947.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. However, due to lack of verified in-service stressors, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his PTSD, as he has reported worsening symptoms since his last evaluation in March 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 30 percent initial rating, effective from March 17, 2004. The appeal for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of alleged stressors and further examination.