PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding a diagnosis of PTSD and an inability to verify claimed stressors. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but the RO must first determine if any verified stressor(s) occurred during service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, which grants a higher rating than the initial 30 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for skin disorders, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active military service or exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective from February 23, 2000 and also granted TDIU effective from the same date.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to VCAA notification issues and the need for further verification of in-service stressors. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 11, 2000 and November 9, 2001 for service connection of PTSD and status post cold injury of the feet respectively. The decision is based on the law rather than evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's statements regarding combat exposure are consistent with his service record. The claims for residuals of a head injury and back injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD and its impact on employment. The RO will also review the appellant's total disability rating claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current prostate condition, including benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostatitis, did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, and further development is needed. The veteran must provide more specific information about his alleged stressors.

The Board has determined that the current development of the claim is inadequate and requires additional information regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD stressors, as well as verification of his service on the USS Independence in 1965. The case will be remanded for further action.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The veteran claims service connection for PTSD, but the Board has ordered remand due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development of the evidence.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible evidence of the existence of an in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his verified stressor to his current diagnosis of PTSD. The veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, myopic astigmatism, headaches, shoulder aches (claimed as muscle aches), rectal bleeding, and upset stomach. However, it denied these claims on their merits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issue of an increased rating for left wrist disability remains pending as its disposition is unknown.

The veteran is seeking higher initial and current ratings for his service-connected PTSD. The case must be remanded to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).