PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 12, 2004 or in excess of 50 percent since January 12, 2004.

The Veteran does not have PTSD that was caused or aggravated by any incident of active military service, and therefore the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by her active service, as there is no credible supporting evidence to corroborate her report of in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have combat service and his claimed PTSD stressors were not corroborated by service records or other credible supporting evidence. The right shoulder disability was also denied as there is no indication of an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the inclusion of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The denial was based on the lack of credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 8, 2005 and is now rated at 70 percent from that date. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher than 70 percent evaluation, and his hepatitis C was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of evidence, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2005 to December 3, 2006. Since December 4, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his corroborated service as a door gunner and there is medical evidence of a link between his stressors and the diagnosis of PTSD. The issue of waiver of overpayment of VA pension benefits remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of complaints including poor sleep, depression, irritability, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hyperstartle, and flashbacks. The VA found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and unverifiable stressors. The claim for depression secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from San Mateo Mental Health Clinic and Menlo Park VA, as well as court martial records. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 9, 2005 for service connection of PTSD is denied. The earliest date entitlement arose was January 10, 2006.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence of combat exposure or verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 16, 2006. The Board found that the disability results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to June 7, 2005 and increased to 30 percent effective from June 5, 2007. The GERD rating remained at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a cardiovascular disorder, a right leg condition, and fungus of the toenails. The appeals were not developed or certified for appellate review.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was rated at 30 percent from July 16, 2004 to May 13, 2007, and increased to 50 percent effective July 1, 2007.