PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor incident.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 17, 2007. The claimant's request for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion on whether the Veteran's death is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors could not be verified and thus did not establish service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to a Social Security Administration award letter from January 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, clarifying the Veteran's reported stressors, and scheduling a new psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD and major depressive disorder are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant VA medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his reported in-service stressor has been verified and linked to his current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective April 5, 2007. The condition results in significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to an in-service stressor involving his participation in Operation Frequent Wind, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, nervous stomach disorder, dizziness, nausea and vertigo, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were found to lack new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, will be remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 6, 2005. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right knee disability with arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or injury related to the current conditions, respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by moderate occupational and social impairment, including impaired memory and concentration, depressed mood, blunted affect, chronic sleep impairment, hypervigilence, flashbacks, and nightmares. The RO granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran is not entitled to an increase in his PTSD rating or service connection for his right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and pes planus have been rated at the maximum available disability rating of 30 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher evaluation.