PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted based on the evidence showing that his current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to exposure to enemy attacks during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied because he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board remands the case for additional development, including a VA cardiology opinion to determine if the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence, but has not yet adjudicated the merits of the claim.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, as it is manifested by such symptoms as occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression affecting the ability to function appropriately and effectively, impaired impulse control with unprovoked irritability, panic attacks, nightmares, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by depression, irritability, loss of interest in daily living activities, loss of energy, insomnia, inability to concentrate, anxiety, hypervigilance, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. However, the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted, and the veteran is not entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance with special adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied due to the need for further medical evidence regarding loss of use of his feet.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypertension, are shown to produce increasingly disabling manifestations that would prevent the veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development and adjudication of the veteran's claim, including consideration of new evidence and a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination.

The evidence received subsequent to the December 1999 Board decision is new and material, and the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is reopened. However, the evidence does not support service connection for hearing loss or tinnitus.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by complaints of poor sleep, nightmares, anxiety, intrusive thoughts of war, and hostility or an inability to be in the vicinity of people of Asian descent; however, it did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder as there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor to support the diagnosis.

The veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective August 1, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for PTSD, as there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 22, 2002.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while the claims for residuals of a right hip injury and pelvis injury were denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for a right ulnar nerve injury remained at 40 percent.

The Board found that the evidence received since the January 1997 decision is not new and material, and therefore does not serve to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there was no credible evidence that any claimed in-service stressor(s) occurred.