PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except PTSD, which were dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, depression, irritability, anxiety, social detachment, isolation, and instances of suicidal ideation. Despite these symptoms, the Board found that occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to PTSD symptoms have not been shown warranting a rating in excess of 50 percent.

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

The Board denied all issues related to increased evaluations for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including preparation of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC), VA examination and stressor verification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, kidney disorder, skin disorder, residuals of hiatal hernia, essential tremors, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and diverticulitis/diverticulosis, also claimed as spastic colon were denied. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective from July 2, 2005. The effective date is earlier than August 19, 2005 as the evidence shows that his full-time employment ended prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's applications for Service Disabled Veterans life insurance (RH) were denied because they were not filed within the two-year period required by law, and there is no exception based on incompetency or otherwise.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD were found to have first manifested during his active service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychotic disorder is as likely as not related to his service, including an in-service episode of hallucinations. As a result, the claim for service connection for a psychotic disorder is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the inability to verify the reported stressors, and thus concluded that there was no evidence of a link between the diagnosed PTSD and any in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on a single corroborated in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and he is entitled to a 20 percent evaluation for his left foot injury. For the low back disability, an increased rating of 40 percent has been granted from July 14, 1998 to May 23, 2002, with no higher rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, dissociative identity disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were incurred or aggravated by her military service. The presumption of soundness is not rebutted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including verifying alleged stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and to reopen his claim for residuals of a cervical injury. The denial was based on lack of evidence corroborating the in-service stressor for PTSD.