PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no competent medical diagnosis of PTSD in the record.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by intrusive thoughts about World War II, some sleep disturbance, and difficulty maintaining familial relationships resulting in mild occupational impairment. The Board finds that the current degree of disability under applicable scheduler criteria does not warrant a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, as there are no indications of significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since the effective date of service connection, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus his lay statements alone are insufficient to establish the occurrence of the alleged stressors, including a personal assault. The service records do not support the claimed stressor.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, stomach ulcers, residuals of frostbite of the feet, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no direct evidence linking any current psychiatric disorders to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his osteomyelitis is inactive, thus denying all claims. The residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left leg do not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective April 8, 2003.

The Board has found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher initial evaluation for PTSD remains pending.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his fractured fingers and service connection for his psychiatric disorder were both denied. The Board found no chronic residuals of the fractures, no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder, and insufficient medical nexus between military service and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is secondary to a sexual assault during basic training, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for such a rating.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The veteran's service-connected right eye disorder has resulted in a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and PTSD. The Board finds that the veteran's eye difficulties contribute significantly to his depressive difficulties.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD related to the veteran's service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and a right eye disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that the right eye disorder did not begin during or as a result of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and granted it, finding that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy as a helicopter mechanic during his tour in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.