PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, has been remanded due to procedural defects and the need for additional evidence. The case will be reconsidered after obtaining updated medical records and addressing potential other diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital in Kentucky due to a motorcycle accident is granted, as the treatment was necessary and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating, as his symptoms do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors during service did not result in a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 20, 2005. The claim for TDIU is moot as the Veteran has already received a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD effective June 6, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner must provide a rationale for any opinion expressed.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant higher initial disability ratings. The Board found that the current evaluations under the applicable diagnostic codes adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the January 1992 denial does not include stressor information or a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for PTSD. As such, the Veteran's claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The symptoms described do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not currently suffer from PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and from July 29, 2009, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board found no verified in-service stressor events and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not due to an event or incident of his period of active service. The claim for PTSD and hypertension will be remanded as additional information is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is insufficient evidence to verify the claimed in-service stressors and his MOS was radio operator, which does not meet the criteria for combat participation.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his in-service stressor events, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for COPD as secondary to PTSD was granted. The claim to reopen the Raynaud's phenomenon service connection issue was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.