PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD are not productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded to obtain additional evidence, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 7, 2005, and increased to 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service due to verified in-service stressors.

The appeal is remanded to afford the Veteran proper notice and due process, including a new VA examination for PTSD.

The appeal is REMANDED for further development to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's treatment from Dr. S.L.

The Veteran's service-connected brain syndrome associated with brain trauma and PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling from August 9, 2000, and his panhypopituitarism was rated as 60 percent disabling from November 21, 2007.

The Veteran was granted a full disability evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD, effective August 18, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent due to gross impairment in thought process with hallucinations, persistent suicidal ideation (though passive), chronic anxiety, severe depression, social impairment, total occupational impairment, and inability to function in almost all areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder with phobias and depression and PTSD, is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for an increased rating at any point during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is also entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The case is remanded for further development and adjudication of the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder as there was no corroborated inservice stressor.

The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, as there was no verified in-service stressor event.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that it is at least as likely as not that PTSD, which the Veteran suffered from during his lifetime, played a contributory role in the development of CAD and other illnesses.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 21, 2005, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran was also found not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by nightmares, intrusive thoughts, concentration difficulty, restricted affect, exaggerated startle response, avoidance of crowds, and mild occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that a higher initial rating is not warranted.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule a new VA psychiatric examination.