PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the appellant presented evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is associated with an in-service stressor that was corroborated by credible supporting evidence, and the Board finds service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of noise exposure related to service for hearing loss or tinnitus, and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The claim for service connection for proctitis with diarrhea has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD, including a lack of unit records and verification of stressors. The Veteran will be provided with an examination if verified stressors are found.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The claim for special monthly pension was also withdrawn.,PTSD was not diagnosed in service or post-service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1998 rating decision.,However, the Veteran's PTSD is not productive of more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of more than 30 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue will be further addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are also before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches are denied. The claim for PTSD is granted with a 30% evaluation effective from March 14, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and his psychological disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for a low back disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of PTSD is pending, as well as his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The case needs to be remanded to seek verification of the alleged stressor event and arrange for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder and residuals from shrapnel wounds.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial ratings assigned for service-connected conditions including diabetes mellitus, sensory peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, common peroneal neuropathy and sensory peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and PTSD. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions but did not specify any particular theory of service connection or exposure basis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his PTSD warrants a 70% rating. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.