PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted based on a competent diagnosis of PTSD and a corroborated in-service stressor.

The case is remanded for further development of the evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability and a Statement of the Case will be issued for the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and lumbar and cervical spine degenerative joint disease were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and chronic low back syndrome are being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms were productive of deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The appeal for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and confirm the claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected median nerve neuralgia of the left hand is rated at 20 percent, which approximates moderate incomplete paralysis. The other claims remain under review.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding the disability manifested primarily by daily dreams, hypervigilance, sleep disturbance and lack of sleep, exhaustion, worry, problems with temperament, feeling estranged and detached from people, and social isolation; these symptoms are indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran, and his discharge from active duty does not bar eligibility for VA benefits.

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

The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on credible evidence of a sexual assault in service and medical evidence linking the veteran's current symptoms to that event.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various disabilities, including headaches, bowel problems, nerve damage to the right hand and arm, chronic pain syndrome of the left upper extremity, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The case was remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarifying information from the Veteran and additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, IBS, cholecystectomy, migraines, right knee injury, tinnitus, and other conditions, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 10, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for right carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain were denied. However, a 30 percent rating was granted for the right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service based on the verified in-service stressful incidents.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not productive of total occupational and social impairment, but the symptoms are severe enough to warrant a 70 percent rating.