PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, restricted affect, chronic sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, poor concentration, hypervigilance, irritability and anger, resulting in moderate occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to August 28, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's attempt to present such evidence was unsuccessful.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, and a GI disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10% for migraine headaches was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with depression) and denied service connection for an ear disability (bilateral hearing loss). The Veteran's PTSD is linked to a verified in-service stressor, while his bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with depression and history of alcohol abuse is being remanded to the RO for initial review of additional evidence submitted after a June 2009 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits information. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of PTSD. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are also inextricably intertwined with TDIU and must be addressed together.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the denial of service connection for PTSD, based on the evidence available at that time.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and PTSD) are found to be so severe that they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms without warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and major depression is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for PTSD and headaches, but it is not clear whether service connection will be granted as the issues are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence confirming his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of current impaired hearing in either ear or a service-connected disability that precludes the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 18, 2003. This rating reflects the level of impairment that more closely resembled occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.