PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus will be addressed in a separate remand.

The claims for service connection for PTSD and prostatitis have been reopened, but the claim for diminished capacity to procreate remains denied.,Residuals of neck fracture are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further review and consideration of new evidence submitted by the veteran, including newspaper articles and a statement from the veteran. The RO will determine if the new evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's reported stressor of a mortar attack during his time in Vietnam is sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer and PTSD, but denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver.,Competent medical evidence does not support a finding that PTSD currently exists.

The appeal is being remanded to the VAMC for further action, including issuance of a statement of the case regarding reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by the veteran at Good Samaritan Medical Center during treatment from July 22 to July 27, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 29, 1997. The RO should arrange for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the disability prevents him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 30 percent disability rating, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the symptoms and functional impairment described.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the case can be adjudicated, and thus remands the matter to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service stressors and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Bosnia and grants this claim. The actinic keratosis claim remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there was no verified in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion regarding the cause of death and whether PTSD contributed to it.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to ensure compliance with all due process requirements, including representation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and lung cancer, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors or a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for DIC benefits based on the cause of death due to lung cancer is also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted an increased rating of 50 percent effective March 28, 1996, and a 100 percent rating effective September 15, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is about the initial evaluation for PTSD. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective January 29, 1996. The veteran now seeks an increased rating.