PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations or additional service-connected benefits.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as it is not proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected PTSD, and also found that the veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable rating. The 30 percent rating for PTSD was continued.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis of the hands, chronic fatigue syndrome, and back disability. The claims to reopen for arthritis of the knees and stress fractures of the legs and feet were also denied.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The appeal is remanded to the RO for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at a local RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol dependence, substance-induced mood disorder and opiate and benzodiazepine abuse, right knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as a right leg condition), stomach condition, and residuals of tinea pedis treatment (claimed as jungle rot of the feet) were denied.

The appeal was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and no current disability for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the evidence now suggests a possible diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

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

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent from May 19, 1989 to May 23, 1996 due to its impact on his ability to maintain effective or favorable relationships and industrial impairment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity so as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's alcoholism and drug dependency was not related to his service-connected PTSD, and the residuals of malaria did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The PTSD warranted a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, scars of the right eyelid and forehead, and right eye injury. However, it was found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded for a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, as the symptoms were found to be manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the alleged in-service stressor has not been verified.

The veteran's PTSD did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the acquisition of outstanding treatment records.

The Board finds that additional development of the appellant's claims is necessary and remands them for further action.