PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no competent diagnosis of PTSD based upon a verified stressor from service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, must be remanded again for further development.

The appeal is remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to reassess the severity of the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran was granted an increased initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to September 26, 2005, but a higher rating is not warranted from that date onward.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not shown to be more severe than currently rated at 50 percent, as it did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating beginning October 1, 2003, but not earlier. The claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2003, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-fixation of the metatarsal cuneiform navicular joint right foot disability were denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting), and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no independently-verified in-service stressor to support the diagnosis.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD, L5-S1 spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied increased ratings or service connection.

The May 1998 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD and assigning evaluations was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of a head injury, respiratory disease, bilateral ankle disability, arthritis, right wrist injury, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and right knee disability.

The veteran's PTSD is primarily manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as a minimally restricted affect, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, impaired abstract thinking, depression, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. A rating of 50 percent is granted.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran suffers from PTSD and whether it is related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and removal of an ovary are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased initial evaluation and earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board finds that the veteran suffers from PTSD related to his verified in-service stressors and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted based on a verified in-service stressor and a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to January 31, 2005.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was denied. The application to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted.