PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors. The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 of Title 38 United States Code.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and denied service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU is being remanded due to procedural issues and in light of the Board's October 2007 decision that granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD from September 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for clarification of how his in-service stressors meet the criteria for a traumatic event as defined by the DSM-IV.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described. The rating does not warrant an increase to a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying combat-related stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has ordered another attempt to secure the veteran's complete service personnel file, including unit records from his Army National Guard unit and any successor custodians. The case will be returned for further review after this information is obtained.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD related to her National Guard service. The case is being remanded due to incomplete documentation of her periods of active service and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by extensive psychological testing, including a positive PTSD screening in December 2003. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by flashbacks, nightmares, distressing memories, depressive symptoms, anxiety, occasional passive suicidal ideation, occasional panic attacks, trouble sleeping, avoidance, blunted affect, irritability, hyperarousal, and exaggerated startle response. These symptoms are indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retrieval of outpatient treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 16, 2007. The RO increased the evaluation from 30 percent to 50 percent effective January 16, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are addressed in the decision. The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several previously denied claims, but did not grant any of the individual claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claims or because they were otherwise not supported by the preponderance of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for TDIU was received on March 4, 2005. The effective date of this grant is set at March 4, 2004, based on the evidence showing his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of January 9, 2003.