PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and a psychiatric disorder were reopened, but the claim for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The veteran's PTSD is at least severely disabling, with isolative behavior, frequent nightmares, and sleep difficulties significant enough to lead him to quit his job.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 100 percent evaluation of PTSD, as there was no medical evidence showing that the disability warranted a 100 percent evaluation prior to May 29, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim with respect to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent from October 17, 2002 to November 13, 2005, and granted the veteran an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, beginning November 14, 2005.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran has PTSD which was caused by a sexual assault in service, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD results in a social and occupational impairment that more nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, and mood, than total impairment.

The appeal for an earlier effective date was dismissed as it is not a proper claim subject to adjudication.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for PTSD, residuals of a gunshot wound, bowel resection, and degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine, with metallic debris at posterior abdomen at L4-L5 were denied. The veteran was also denied an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for these disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with anxiety as secondary to a service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and the preponderance of evidence was against such a diagnosis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for discoid lupus erythematosus and skin rashes, diagnosed as eczema, vitiligo and alopecia were denied. The veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from February 19, 2008.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of total social and occupational impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including VCAA notice and obtaining of outstanding medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, and the Board dismissed this issue. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed inservice stressor.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board remands the claim for further development and consideration of the veteran's alleged personal assault stressors during service.