PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection based on his combat experience.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault stressor is not supported by credible evidence, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The other issues were also denied.

The Veteran's infectious hepatitis with jaundice and residuals of meningitis are granted a noncompensable rating. The claim to reopen the PTSD service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The VA Board has determined that the degree of impairment due to coronary artery disease, based on aggravation by service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PSD), approximates the criteria for a 30 percent rating after reducing the pre-existing coronary artery disease level.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the claim for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is not found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his hemorrhoids do not warrant a compensable evaluation. The claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and malaria have been reopened. The claim for initial increased ratings for porphyria cutanea tarda requires further VA examination, as does the claim for hepatitis C secondary to porphyria cutanea tarda.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pain syndrome was denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for depression and PTSD is May 29, 2003 (but no earlier). Other claims were either denied or not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran is currently diagnosed with PTSD and there is credible evidence of an in-service stressor, linking the diagnosis to his service. The Board finds that the Veteran meets all criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and depression were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service, as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his personal history of substance abuse and personality disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from December 13, 2006. The claim for increased evaluation of his PTSD has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his claims. The decision also noted that the Veteran was receiving Social Security disability benefits and requested that VA obtain relevant records from this agency.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evaluation before a decision can be made.

The VA determined that the Veteran's PTSD caused mild to moderate impairment, with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and social aversion. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the appellant meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.