PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's request for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining more specific information about the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and verifying them. The Veteran is also to be provided a VA psychiatric examination if any verified stressor(s) are found.

The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors were not credible and did not have verified in-service traumatic events to support his PTSD claim, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

Throughout the rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD has been productive of complaints of intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, poor sleep, memory problems, hyper vigilance, and exaggerated startle response; objectively, the Veteran was appropriately dressed, with restricted affect, and linear thought process. The criteria for entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 13, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating of 100 percent for service-connected PTSD effective January 9, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for further development, including verifying stressors and obtaining additional personnel records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. The Veteran's lay statements regarding combat experiences were not corroborated by his personnel records, and he did not engage in combat with the enemy during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating than 30 percent for PTSD is before the Board on remand. The case has been returned to the Board after the RO assigned a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of combat and uncorroborated stressor events in service. The diagnosis of PTSD was based on accounts provided by the Veteran himself.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 23, 1998, and at 50 percent since January 16, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from December 5, 2008. The rating reflects significant impairment but does not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating.

The Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD with major depression effective October 6, 2008. The Veteran's claim was denied prior to this date.

The Veteran is granted a 100% rating for PTSD effective October 9, 2003.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD was not granted prior to October 9, 2003.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders was not granted prior to October 9, 2003.,Service connection for cold injury residuals is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Wuesthoff Hospital on April 11, 2003 is denied as there was no prior authorization and the VA facility in Viera was feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD is remanded due to a lack of timely substantive appeal. The cases related to lumbar spine disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder are also being remanded.