PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since April 30, 2009. The RO is directed to arrange for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities due to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and instead related to childhood sexual trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The effective date for this rating is September 1, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current effects and severity of his service-connected PTSD. The RO will then review the expanded record and readjudicate the rating for PTSD, with consideration to Fenderson v. West, 12 Vet. App. 119 (1999).

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's panic disorder, diagnosed in 1964, was not related to his military service. The claim for skin cancer was also denied as there is no confirmed link between the Veteran's exposure to smoke bombs during service and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder. However, it was not established that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his cause of death, which was cardiopulmonary arrest due to or a consequence of stress caused from PTSD. The evidence is in equipoise, raising doubt in favor of the Veteran's condition being related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying any claimed stressors. The Veteran will be provided with a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 10, 2003. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development of his claims, including verification of in-service stressors and consideration of any personal assault allegations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as his PTSD symptoms have reportedly increased in severity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the appellant wishes to withdraw his claims for higher ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the evaluation of diabetes, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance and/or housebound status, and service connection for PTSD. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues regarding service connection and stressor verification.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment from July 2, 2007 forward.

The Board found no evidence to support a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder related to the Veteran's period or periods of active military service and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a secondary right shoulder disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.