PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with his combat experiences in Iraq. The issue of an initial compensable rating for right inguinal hernia repair was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from January 31, 2003. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that attorney fees from past due benefits calculated in the amount of $6,444.02 for the period from June 1, 2005 to July 21, 2006 based on the July 21, 2006 rating decision were correctly calculated.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The RO will now consider whether to grant an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been shown to result in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for alcoholism, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, PTSD, sterility, Type II diabetes mellitus, and a lung disorder were not supported by the evidence. The Board concluded that none of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination to determine what psychiatric disorders, if any, afflict the Veteran and whether any such disorders are etiologically related to service. The PTSD claim is included in the appeal as part of an underlying 'psychiatric disability'.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the submitted evidence, including a private medical examination report from March 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing the Veteran with information about personal assault claims and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is due to an in-service personal assault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor for PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the current symptoms of PTSD and service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability was also denied as his knee condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to determine if he has depression or any other acquired psychiatric condition beyond PTSD, and whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted based on a diagnosis of PTSD related to verified in-service stressors.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with chest pain and accelerated heartbeat, to include as secondary to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded due to the need for clarification of her stressor allegations and further examination.