PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the USMC Historical Center and verifying stressors. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records and determine if a higher disability rating is warranted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for synovitis of the right knee, and left knee contusion with synovitis and instability were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence but remains denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. Increased ratings for the knees remain denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic alcoholism is likely due to his service-connected PTSD, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and denied service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a rating for gastroenteritis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including verification of stressors for PTSD.

VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arterial hypertension, migraine headache with post-traumatic exacerbation, PTSD, peptic ulcer disease and hepatitis C, right shoulder pain, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, facial and scalp rash, and sinusitis and rhinitis.,VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder pain, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, facial and scalp rash, and sinusitis and rhinitis. However, VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective August 1, 2000.,VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for peptic ulcer disease and hepatitis C.

The veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD, specifically from April 21, 1998. The VA has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms were manifested by occasional nightmares and mild interpersonal difficulties.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressful events that may have led to the veteran's PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, verify any claimed stressors, and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The veteran's liver failure, caused by alcoholic liver disease, was not service-connected as the cause of death due to his service-connected PTSD not playing a role in his death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a disability rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. However, the evidence does not show that the veteran had a 100% rating for any disability of service origin for at least 10 years prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and obtaining VA treatment records. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being considered again.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed service-connected PTSD was not incurred or aggravated during active duty, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal is based on direct evidence of a link between the veteran's military service and his PTSD.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder were all denied as there is no evidence of a connection between the conditions and active service. There are also no presumptions of exposure due to military service (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange).

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent from August 4, 1998 to October 17, 2000 and increased to 50 percent thereafter.,A compensable rating for headaches is not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 10 percent evaluation from March 5, 2001. The issue of higher ratings remains pending.