PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been granted at a 30 percent level, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence shows mild to moderate symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, while causing occasional decrease in overall functioning due to symptoms such as depressed mood and chronic sleep impairment, do not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 30 percent.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, as his current disability does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have PTSD that is related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have vision loss due to an eye disability caused by diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy that is proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction that is proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, concluding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD and had no evidence of in-service stressors or a link between his symptoms and an in-service event.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for delusional disorder and PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are attributed to post-service drug use and altercations with law enforcement.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective from February 1, 1999. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is also addressed and will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus have been denied. The evidence submitted is considered new but not material to establish these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, and will return it to the Board after the hearing is conducted.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and denied the claim of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for major depressive disorder. The Veteran's depression is now considered to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing, and no other specific reasons provided in the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, with a GAF score of 50. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD/Barrett's esophagus and gallbladder disease were not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of onset during service. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are denied as there is no credible evidence that they began in service.,PTSD and IBS claims are both pending due to insufficient information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD in January 1988, citing lack of verified stressors and failure to apply the combat presumption. The Veteran argued that he should have been granted service connection due to his claimed combat experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor involving the recovery effort of drowned soldiers is credible, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain verification of alleged stressors and for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD must be remanded due to incomplete service records and an inability to verify a claimed in-service stressor. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding his alleged stressors, which will then be used by the VA to attempt verification.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with VA's duty to assist by attempting to obtain treatment records that have been retired or archived.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify a claimed in-service stressor and to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD.