PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verifying a claimed stressor and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, his reactive hypoglycemia disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation, and he was not shown to be unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes and for the cause of his death, finding that there was no credible diagnosis of PTSD in the record. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher initial evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney. The claim will be reviewed to determine if service connection can be established for any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence collection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD likely contributed to his death by chronically worsening his heart disease, which was listed as the cause of death on his Certificate of Death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service and grants service connection for PTSD. The claim of entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C remains pending as it was not addressed by the August 2004 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The decision is based on insufficient evidence to establish a link between current symptoms and any in-service stressor or event.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the appellant. The claim for posttraumatic stress disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and VA examinations to determine the presence and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe occupational and social impairment, but not total. The Board grants a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and to verify his claimed stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to assess whether he currently experiences PTSD, as well as a VA dermatology examination to evaluate his PFB.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder and PTSD due to the lack of evidence showing a nexus between the disorders and active duty service.

Prior to October 12, 2006, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent due to PTSD.,After October 12, 2006, the Veteran met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent due to PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a left ankle disability due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased evaluation for PTSD and a TDIU claim. The Board has ordered additional VA examinations, treatment records review, and readjudication of the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for additional disability compensation for a dependent child due to failure to provide required dependent information within one year of notification of the award. The overpayment issue is also addressed, but without a Statement of the Case (SOC), it must be remanded.