PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, granting his claim based on credible evidence of in-service stressors and current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 13, 2005 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. After October 13, 2005, his symptoms were productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he does not have the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person were both denied due to lack of evidence showing he required regular assistance or had incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional flashbacks and distressing memories of Vietnam, avoidance of thoughts and feelings associated with Vietnam, nightmares, sleep disturbances, feelings of self-hatred, sadness, depression, failure, guilt, low energy, difficulty concentrating, amotivation, anhedonia, hypervigilance, irritability, gross impairment of short-term memory, poor appetite, and remote thoughts of suicide. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a favorable decision for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective the date of his original claim, but he is still seeking service connection for hypertension, GERD, and ED.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed as there is no legal merit to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being reviewed for its potential contribution to his death, and the case will be remanded to allow for a medical advisory opinion. The burial benefits claim will also be addressed in light of this determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The issues of service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD are to be adjudicated prior to addressing the TDIU claim.

The Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD as of November 14, 2008. Prior to this date, the Veteran's PTSD was not responsible for significant impairment in his ability to work or maintain social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether he should be considered unemployable due to this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim on its merits as there is no credible evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and a testicle disorder. The appellant's claims will be reviewed again after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no confirmed stressor related to his service and insufficient evidence of a current disability due to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further investigation of a reported in-service stressor and readjudication of the service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a GI disorder (claimed as GERD) and PTSD, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The preponderance of evidence did not support the presence of a chronic GI disorder or PTSD.