PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's waiver of overpayment for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that VA had greater fault in creating and assessing the debt. The additional claims for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus are remanded to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for his left ankle fracture. The claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of injury to the left elbow was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent prior to January 19, 2004. The claim for a higher initial evaluation is now granted and the effective date has been set at January 19, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is being remanded due to inconsistencies in his service records and the need for clarification from the service department regarding his claimed service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of severe disability without total occupational and social impairment during the period from November 19, 2004 to June 6, 2005. Since then, his impairment has most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred during service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also notes the presence of major depression and anxiety disorder but finds insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development, including obtaining additional records and verifying the claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors and conduct a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on verified in-service stressors and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied, but he is granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms that more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The Board finds a 70 percent disability evaluation is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be attributable to his active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, with doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 10 percent, reflecting occasional decrease in efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to function occupationally due to sleep impairment, mild memory loss, anxiety, suspiciousness, and occasional depressed mood.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as there was a confirmed stressor, a diagnosis of PTSD, and credible medical opinion linking the current condition to his in-service assault.