PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 2, 1999 and increased to 50 percent effective April 2, 1999. The Veteran is also entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from April 2, 1999 to March 14, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD based on the evidence of record not supporting a finding that an independently verified or corroborated stressor event in service supports a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was increased from 50 percent to 70 percent, effective October 5, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors were not corroborated.

The Board found that there was no probative evidence establishing a nexus between the Veteran's cause of death and service, nor did any service-connected disability cause or contribute substantially to his demise.

The Veteran does not have PTSD that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Board grants service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's in-service stressors and current symptoms, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hearing loss and situational anxiety/dysthymia, but denied service connection for hearing loss. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no credible evidence to support a link between his claimed in-service stressor and his current PTSD diagnosis.

The Board remands the claims for further evidentiary and procedural development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected malaria is inactive and without residuals such as liver or spleen damage, thus a compensable rating for malaria was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the record did not establish that he experienced the alleged stressor during his military service, specifically a motor vehicle accident.

The Board found that prior to December 23, 1997, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in no more than definite social and industrial impairment, and his symptoms did not result in more than occasional decrease in work efficiency or more than intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating higher than 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD based on the current level of impairment.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied as the Veteran's disability picture most closely approximates a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence that the Veteran engaged in combat during his service in Vietnam.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication of the claim.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the existence of a personal assault stressor and the etiology of any current PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has been found to be productive of complaints including mild depression, anxiety, short-term memory loss, nightmares, flashbacks and hyperstartle response. The Board finds support for assignment of a 50 percent evaluation throughout the rating period on appeal.

The appeal is being remanded to secure additional medical records and VA treatment records for the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).