PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's tinnitus was not service-connected, and he was granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD as of March 10, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chloracne, soft tissue sarcoma, Graves' disease, cervical spine disorder, and PTSD were denied. The ratings for essential hypertension with ocular changes, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a knot on the right knee as there was no evidence of a current disability or that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 13, 2004, and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent after that date.

The appeal for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded to schedule a hearing with the Veteran's representative present.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an evaluation greater than 50 percent, as the evidence did not show symptomatology that more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a lung disability, as well as an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for PTSD and tinea versicolor of the back, as the first communication from the Veteran evidencing intent to file claims was received on May 31, 2005.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than May 6, 2002, for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains January 17, 2006.

The veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, as he has maintained employment and his symptoms do not significantly interfere with his ability to function independently or establish effective relationships.

The appeal for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded to provide the veteran with additional notice and development regarding her in-service personal assault claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, also claimed as depression, due to the lack of verified in-service stressors and the absence of a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his hives are not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in service, and he is not entitled to a higher initial rating for his right knee disability.

The appeal was partially granted, with depression being service-connected as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, but hypertension was denied.