PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS, as well as his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including an additional VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to confirmed in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that there was no credible supporting evidence for any in-service stressor. The claim is denied as service connection cannot be established.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) were not incurred or related to her period of active military service. The claim for PTSD was granted as it is presumed to have been incurred due to a personal assault, but the service connection for the lumbar spine disability was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder associated with asbestos exposure, chronic left knee disorder, and chronic right knee disorder are denied as not shown during active duty or related to service. The appeal is granted on reopening of the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but her claim for a TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinea pedis have not survived him.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD, including a lack of verification of in-service stressor events and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective March 9, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the VA examiner found no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has denied the claim for DIC benefits as there is no legal basis for the claim or undisputed facts rendering the appellant ineligible.

The Veteran's death was caused by suicide, which was due to a psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Board finds that the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD associated with an in-service stressor and supported by credible evidence. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, as he had been rated totally disabled for less than ten years prior to his death. The Board found that the cause of death (depression) was not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including dermatitis, PTSD, hip and knee disabilities, muscle cramps, shoulder impingement, upper back condition, cervical spine syndrome (neck condition), low back disability, and ankle disability. The appeals are all now denied.

The Veteran's PTSD for the specified period was manifested by a total occupational and social impairment, warranting an increased rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent, and the evaluation has been increased to 50 percent effective March 11, 2004. The evaluation for PTSD from September 19, 2008 is now 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and additional stressor information provided. The claim will be reviewed again with consideration of this new evidence.