PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. Specifically, VA treatment records from February 1999 until the veteran's death in January 2002 are requested.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for further development of his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VCAA notice and issues related to locating an in-service sexual assault witness.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for additional development of the record, including obtaining clinical documentation from Dr. Oyola-Nieves.

The veteran's PTSD was increased to a 100% rating effective July 8, 2003. The claim for an earlier effective date is not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorder is not service-connected. The RO also denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to PTSD, finding that the preponderance of evidence indicated the veteran does not have fibromyalgia caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the appellant's current diagnosis of chronic, severe PTSD is directly attributable to his in-service stressor event. The issue of an increased rating greater than 30 percent for chondromalacia patellae, right knee remains pending as its disposition is unknown.

The veteran's service connection claim for post-traumatic stress disorder was granted as the events he experienced during his active duty in Korea met the criteria for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of frozen feet are related to his period of active duty service and granted service connection. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that it is a direct result of his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's experiences in Southeast Asia, including witnessing a fatal accident and the death of his 'pilot', are credible and supported by service records. The medical evidence also supports a link between these stressors and the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent effective April 28, 1994 but prior to September 22, 1995.,Effective September 22, 1995, the veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is insufficient evidence to corroborate his reported stressors during service.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and that the occurrence of any inservice stressor supporting the current diagnosis of PTSD is not established by credible supporting evidence, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 30 percent evaluation, effective March 26, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as he does not currently have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence, but further development is needed to determine if the stressors are verified.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and remanded the case for further development, including verification of a claimed in-service stressor and a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed in-service stressor and a need for further development, including an examination.