PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no medical evidence of a current diagnosis and no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient clinic records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability and no causal link between the claimed conditions and his military service. The claim for right ear hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence that the condition occurred in or was caused by his service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened and is granted. Service connection for low back and sciatic nerve damage are also granted.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating effective March 16, 2004. The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the issue of service connection for basal cell carcinoma to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. A compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied. The claim for reopening the IBS service connection was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a new VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the San Antonio RO.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved questions about the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the need for further verification.

The RO increased the initial rating for PTSD to 50 percent, effective August 21, 2005. The appellant's claim remains in appellate status as a higher initial rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his PTSD claim, including obtaining treatment records from various providers. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary information and evidence are obtained.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was rated at 70 percent from November 4, 2005 to August 11, 2008. Since August 12, 2008, the rating has been increased to 100 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any cardiovascular disorder to service or service-connected conditions. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to more closely approximate the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating since August 24, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since June 26, 2006. The Board has determined that the current rating is appropriate based on the severity of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their impact on occupational and social functioning.