PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, including obtaining records from his treatment and corroborating stressor statements.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from June 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, can be linked to his military service and is granted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 27, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is associated with an in-service stressor related to Gulf War service, and the Board finds that this condition was incurred in active military service.

The Board has decided to grant the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation as it does not cause severe symptoms such as homicidal or suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, or inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by mild symptoms that do not significantly impair his occupational and social functioning. The VA has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete documentation from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's disability benefits were awarded in December 2000, but the initial decision is missing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the August 1981 rating decision. The appeal is still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development and remand. The case is being returned to the RO (AMC) for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total. The rating for PTSD is granted at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's final stay at Berkshire Place Nursing Home.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple secondary conditions is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a higher rating for his back disability due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding stressors, and because additional development is needed to determine whether the Veteran meets criteria for PTSD and if any bowel disorder is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the type of hearing he desires and scheduling a hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of sleep apnea, residuals of a right hand injury, or low back disorder. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of chronic left foot injuries during service and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and he received a 10 percent evaluation for his left ankle disability. The initial evaluations for migraine headaches were denied.