PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective March 22, 2006, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of a corroborated in-service stressor. As a result, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD was granted at 30 percent, and the appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to withdrawal of the substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete development of the record.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected conditions, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since his last employment in 1985.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 4, 2006 was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its finding that the evidence did not support an initial evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD in excess of a 50 percent disability rating. The Court also noted that the most recent examination report is dated more than five years ago, making it imperative to obtain a more recent medical examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent effective September 17, 2008. The claim for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were not shown to be etiologically related to service, and his PTSD claim was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since December 2, 2005. The Board found that the disability picture more closely approximates a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports that his PTSD began during his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent. However, due to his service-connected PTSD, he is found to be unemployable and therefore granted TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support it. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if there is a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not attributable to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.