PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between military service and any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The veteran is required to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to obtain an opinion on this issue.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as his current psychiatric diagnosis is depression, which has already been granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in December 1987. The claim is now pending on its merits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an extension of temporary total disability benefits for PTSD due to hospitalization periods unrelated to PTSD, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination to assess the veteran's PTSD symptoms and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service on the basis of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the TDIU cannot be earlier than January 26, 2001, due to the veteran's prior receipt of a temporary total disability rating for PTSD during this period. The evidence does not show an increase in disability from service-connected conditions within one year before the claim was received.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more recent examination.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD, when combined with residuals of an on-the-job head injury and subsequent brain dysfunction (due to a stroke), prevented him from being gainfully employed for at least one year. As such, the disability rating for PTSD is not warranted as his condition worsened due to non-service-connected factors.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn due to his request. The issue of an earlier effective date is being remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notice and duty-to-assist provisions, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits information.

The Board granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) effective from December 21, 1989, the date of receipt of the initial claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, and vertigo due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for service connection for PTSD was not granted as there is no evidence that the claimed stressors occurred during service.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to October 27, 1998. The effective date for the TDIU claim remains under consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to her failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for completion of additional development, including verification of service in Vietnam and verification of alleged stressors.

The VA determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD cannot be associated with his military service or any verified stressor event in service.

The Board found that there is no verifiable stressor related to military service and concluded that PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active service.