PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder due to the character of discharge. However, the appellant's discharge was found to be under conditions less than honorable due to fraudulent entry into the Army and misconduct during service, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and treatment records from a 'Veteran's home', scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and reviewing all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by deficiencies in most areas of social and occupational functioning, including sleep disturbance with nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidant behavior, isolative behavior, occasional anxiety attacks, hypervigilance, impaired impulse control, irritability, anger, and a depressed mood. The Board has determined that the Veteran's condition more closely approximates the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of stressors and need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and to obtain all pertinent medical records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records and other relevant medical records. The claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for verification of a claimed in-service stressor related to the death of Sergeant Major R.C. and an assessment of whether PTSD is service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a video-conference hearing at his local RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent, the minimum schedular rating for this condition. The Veteran's heart disease is not currently assigned a specific evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of a claimed stressor and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and service treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher evaluation of 70 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and low back disorder, finding that new evidence did not materialize to reopen these previously denied claims. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a higher individual rating of 100 percent for PTSD. The case is dismissed as to this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of disturbances of motivation and mood, some suicidal ideation, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his PTSD is related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied by the Board, and his increased rating claim for PTSD was also denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to ensure all relevant records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied by the Board. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.