PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his service in an 'imminent danger pay area' as a participant in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records and corroborating evidence of a sexual assault during service that may have caused PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that can be related to his period of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD effective from December 23, 2002, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, social isolation, anger outbursts, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, moodiness, fluctuating energy levels, suicidal ideation, and poor hygiene.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to his incarceration and lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors. The VA will attempt to verify these events and schedule a psychiatric examination if at least one stressor is confirmed.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression (including major depressive disorder), and bipolar disorder (including bipolar affective disorder) were denied as there is no verified stressor to support the claimed conditions, and no competent evidence of a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) requires further development due to insufficient evidence regarding his employability with all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder with features of PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the lack of in-service stressor evidence and the need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, respiratory disorder, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, lumbar disorder, and poor concentration and recall were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and stress/anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence now of record includes additional VA and private treatment records, lay statements, and hearing testimony that relates to this fact.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right arm, and residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right hand with effective dates based on when the Veteran submitted his claims.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment on March 13-14, 2006 for alcohol withdrawal and costochondritis was not considered an emergency requiring reimbursement. The treatment on March 24, 2006 is pending as it has not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of newly submitted evidence.