PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC or DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and Chapter 35.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, confluent and reticulate papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud, and menometrorrhagia. The effective dates for these grants have also been denied.,The veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The case is now remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the veteran does not have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for postoperative residuals of left knee fusion due to arthritis from April 16, 1992, to December 23, 1997. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for this condition is now at the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5256.

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

The Board has decided to dismiss the appeal because the issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for PTSD is moot due to the decision on the main issue.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence presented since the final March 1990 decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the weight of the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular conditions to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered service-connected due to lack of medical evidence connecting it to service. Residuals from colon cancer surgery and irritable bowel syndrome are also not linked to service. Hypertension was not shown to be related to service either.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for PTSD was submitted, but service connection is still denied on the merits.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 50 percent prior to April 27, 2001, and at 70 percent thereafter. The veteran's tinnitus was also granted service connection with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and thus the diagnosis of PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent for the period from July 10, 1998, through October 26, 1999. Beginning on October 27, 1999, her PTSD was rated at 100 percent effective as of that date.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's PTSD rating. The case will be returned for additional evidence collection and a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking his claimed symptoms to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left knee do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his PTSD does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which he claims was caused by his military service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and records.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and granted service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being sent back to the RO for the requested development, including obtaining records of psychiatric treatment and information from USASCRUR regarding the veteran's alleged in-service stressors.