PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus were denied, while the claim for hypertensive vascular disease was remanded.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an initial 30 percent evaluation, which was later increased to 50 percent. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to such symptoms as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was also denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, but granted service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's PTSD has been productive of objective symptomatology including sleep disturbance, anxiety attacks, poor concentration, and memory loss; however, there has been no speech impairment, near continuous panic and/or depression, spatial disorientation, or evidence of suicidal ideation or obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for depression, PTSD, headaches, joint pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, to include depression and PTSD, as there was no competent evidence of record that supported a finding that his depression or PTSD were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, cervical spine disability, and a higher rating for shell fragment wound of the left arm were denied as there was no evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from October 1, 1999 to June 30, 2002.

The appellant's PTSD disability was rated at 50 percent, while the lumbar spine and left knee disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and back disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims. The claim for PTSD was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claim for additional development, including corroboration of the veteran's reported stressors and a proper PTSD examination.

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

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and chronic headaches, to include as secondary to the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an effective date prior to November 13, 1998 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with bipolar I disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including verification of potential in-service stressors and a medical opinion on the relationship between any verified stressors and the veteran's current PTSD diagnosis.

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 veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a higher initial evaluation, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent or higher rating during the relevant periods.