PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the diagnosis and its linkage to an in-service sexual assault, as well as obtaining additional evidence regarding his psychiatric history.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has ordered a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 19, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO granted TDIU with an effective date of May 19, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining copies of postmarked letters from Vietnam and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD, including verification of stressors and a psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD. His current disability rating of 70 percent has been granted, effective from April 20, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. Personality disorder was also ruled out as a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are found to be related to service, with the stressors occurring during his active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with VCAA requirements and other procedural issues.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service stressor and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD cannot be attributed to his military service due to a lack of independently verifiable inservice stressful experiences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to incomplete records and further investigation is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence of record without specific mention of any new or material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting the claims. The claim for PTSD was reopened but still denied as there were no verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with associated symptoms such as extreme sweats, increased blood pressure and heart rate, constipation, swelling of the legs, and sleeplessness is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding stressors and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the required elements of persistent avoidance and numbing of general responsiveness, which are essential components of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a back disability were denied. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) was not addressed as it was recharacterized on the title page.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need to verify combat status. The VA will seek additional information from the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) regarding the Veteran's unit history, obtain Social Security Administration records, and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.