PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that a 100% rating for PTSD is warranted from February 22, 1996. The effective date of the award will be set based on when the increase in severity was factually ascertainable.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on verified in-service stressors and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of a TDIU claim during the course of his PTSD appeal. The case will be returned for all relevant documents and evidence to be associated with the claims file, including VA mental health treatment records since July 2009 from Upstate New York VA Healthcare System, and for clarification on the type of hearing requested.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to incomplete procedures from the previous remand.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 16, 2001. The Board finds that the evidence shows significant impairment in most areas due to PTSD symptoms as of February 4, 2005, warranting a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder had its onset in service and is caused by his military service. The diagnosis of PTSD, which was not based on an in-service personal assault, does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a temporary total disability evaluation, an increased evaluation for his lower back disability, and service connection for PTSD. The decision found that there was no surgery or immobilization of the lower back during the period in question.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding of PTSD related to his in-service stressor. The Veteran is now granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by medical evidence, and the stressor related to his military service has been corroborated. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for further review by medical professionals.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at 30 percent from July 22, 2002 through November 16, 2004. Since April 1, 2005, the evaluation has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, was incurred in service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the claim for a higher rating was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. This includes verifying the claimed in-service stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination if verified.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and remanded the claims for increase in ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome and lumbar strain. The case is now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's initial rating for postoperative incisional hernia is denied as the evidence does not show that his hernia has reached a level requiring an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine secondary to service-connected shell fragment wound of the abdomen with laceration of the liver with retained foreign body is denied as there is no evidence that his DDD is caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and insufficient evidence to confirm any claimed events. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD, but there is no independent verification of his claimed stressors.