PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to October 23, 2007 and 70 percent from that date. The Board has determined the rating assigned meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by hyperarousal, moderate vigilance, anxiety, depression and problems sleeping. The Board finds that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD due to an in-service stressor, and there was no corroborating evidence for the alleged stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and a 100 percent rating for PTSD was denied. The March 2003 decision is final as it assigned September 19, 2002 as the effective date.

The Board found no competent and credible evidence confirming the Veteran experienced a stressful event during his military service, including in combat, to account for his PTSD diagnosis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, which caused his death, is likely due to a condition that began during his service in World War II. The Board also found that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is attributable to service, and the Board has found that his claimed stressors occurred during active duty. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for proper notification regarding service connection for PTSD and the requirement of evidence from sources other than service records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with representation, medical records, and stressor verification. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of his PTSD symptoms, including suicidal ideation and hallucinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and private treatment providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD due to lack of combat involvement and insufficient corroborated stressor events.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities, speech intermittently illogical, obscure or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control, such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting; and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of his claimed in-service stressors, and thus, no causal relationship between his current symptoms and any in-service event.