PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran seeks service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records from the Social Security Administration and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability may be related to treatment in service or events experienced by the Veteran in service other than those on submarines or in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO found no new and material evidence to reopen any of his claims. The rating for bronchial asthma was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on file for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's claim is pending and will be reviewed again after further efforts towards substantiation, including a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a skin condition, and service connection for a nervous condition (PTSD, Anxiety, Panic Attacks) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the grant of any of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 5, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his migraine headaches are also rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD results in difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his psychiatric disorder, which began in service and was aggravated by service, contributed to his suicide.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and IBS, but granted service connection for IBS with an effective date of March 1, 2002. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to VA's inability to obtain service personnel records, and the appellant is ultimately responsible for providing these records.

From December 2, 2002 to June 1, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.,Effective from June 2, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or major depression or anxiety disorder other than PTSD related to his military service and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. His PTSD claim resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial rating of 50 percent, effective September 17, 2004.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no credible evidence of a verified stressor in service, and therefore, the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. As such, his lay statements regarding stressful events are not sufficient to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has ordered the RO to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors through all sources, including the United States Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC). The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 16, 2008. The AMC increased the rating from 50 percent retroactively effective November 22, 2004 to 30 percent retroactively effective that date. The Veteran continues to appeal for higher ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.