PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, PTSD, and dizziness and headaches as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for a psychiatric disorder, and there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors or current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to combat exposure. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also service-connected as secondary to the service-connected PTSD. Epilepsy was not aggravated by service, and peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred or aggravated in service.

The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, onychomycosis and psoriasis, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied as a matter of law.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were established prior to August 12, 2005.

The Board found that a 70 percent initial evaluation was warranted for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas of his life.

The Board denied service connection for a knee disorder, kidney disorder (nephritis), headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims or there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied an increased rating for panic disorder and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation before February 28, 2008, or from that date.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty or ADT.

The Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, was granted service connection as it existed prior to service and was permanently aggravated by service.

The appeal on the merits has become moot by virtue of the death of the Veteran and must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The Board vacated its August 6, 2008 decision regarding the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to missing evidence that was constructively before it.

The Board denied service connection for schizoaffective disorder, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, chest pain, gastrointestinal disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Veteran was also denied a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted based on a confirmed in-service stressor and a recent medical diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD was caused by stressors during his active military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying in-service stressors.