PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in active service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for a left knee disability remains pending as further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and MDD, as well as her dental condition, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current mental health conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to obtain SSA disability benefits decision.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100 percent rating for her service-connected PTSD, effective September 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional information about his claimed stressors and a VA examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disorders related to his service or gastrointestinal surgery.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher initial rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for PTSD, compression fractures and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The appeal is based on direct service connection.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of the June 2003 decision based on CUE regarding an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 1, 1998 for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied as the minimum requirements for such compensation were not met prior to that date.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent from May 30, 2002. The rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is also granted at 50 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service due to lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressor. The low back and left leg disorders were also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left hand disability, and left wrist disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or arthritis, and the medical evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, increased disability rating for PTSD, and increased (compensable) disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records from August 2002 to the present.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

From December 30, 2003 to July 14, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity; it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying alleged stressors and providing a VA examination to determine if any back disorder is related to active military service.