PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and alcohol dependence, was incurred during his period of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to January 26, 2009 resulted in severe occupational and social impairment. From January 26, 2009, the impairment remained severe.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his PTSD claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ankle fracture were found to not warrant ratings higher than the currently assigned 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 17, 2009 and a 10 percent rating for residuals of left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's death was caused by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, which is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private medical records, affording the appellant a VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms, and readjudicating the claim based on the newly submitted evidence.

The Board finds that the reduction in rating for hypertension from 60% to 10% was proper. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 18, 2003. Service connection for tinea cruris was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues regarding service connection for PTSD and Herpes Simplex. The Veteran's claims are related to in-service stressors, but there is a need for additional evidence from sources other than her service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability, headaches, memory loss, and a psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD) have been withdrawn. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from December 8, 2004. The rating reflects the severity of symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, suspiciousness, depressed mood, anxiety, and occasional panic attacks.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressful experiences have not been corroborated by service department records, and his acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are not shown to be related to events during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms are severe, leading to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation is warranted for the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the alleged stressors and determine if there is a link between the diagnosed PTSD and any verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The case will be reconsidered by the RO in light of this additional information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the occurrence of in-service stressors. The claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for bilateral hearing loss was not met as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 24, 2005.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from July 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination as his condition may have worsened since the last evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD causes intermittent periods of occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was a contributing cause of his death from end-stage cerebral degeneration, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.