PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge to be held at the RO, where she may present evidence in support of both claims currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and requests for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Fort Leonard Wood Community Mental Health Service and Counseling and Family Service. The veteran's representative also requested a statement from her chaplain regarding her rape in service.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service stressor and thus denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in personal combat while serving in Vietnam, and thus his claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also found that the veteran has a current diagnosis of substance abuse and dependence, but denied secondary service connection for substance abuse as it is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of kidney trauma, and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence for the hypertension claim. The other issues were not addressed as they did not involve service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional information about the stressful events claimed to have caused PTSD and seeking supporting evidence from alternate sources.

The Board found that the veteran's in-service stressors, including witnessing a friend being injured by a grenade and seeing soldiers run over children, supported his claim of service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms did not prevent her from maintaining gainful employment during the period of February 15, 1996 to November 8, 2001. Her symptoms produced severe industrial and social impairment but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The RO found that there was no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now remanded to the RO for a psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for payment at the rate of $2,163 from September 1, 1993, to December 1, 2001, is denied as he has been paid at the appropriate monthly rate under the law.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in August 1999.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review. The issues of rating PTSD and undiagnosed illness are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran's psychiatric disorder meets the criteria for PTSD and is related to service. The RO must also consider whether the veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his scars and arthritis.