PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of record indicating the veteran currently has PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's first claim was received on February 26, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is about a higher initial rating for PTSD. The Board previously granted a 70 percent rating, but the Court has ordered that this matter be remanded to the Board for further proceedings.

The Board has ordered the RO to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and conduct appropriate development, including requesting a complete stressor statement from the veteran and conducting all necessary development. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed PTSD is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran currently has PTSD as a result of any verified stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran engaged in combat during service and therefore, his PTSD is considered to be incurred in service. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there is no evidence linking his current PTSD to an in-service stressor, specifically a jaw fracture caused by a fellow serviceman's punch. The diagnoses of PTSD do not link it to any specific traumatic experience and there are no records indicating that the in-service jaw fracture caused psychiatric symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and ancylostomiasis (hookworm), as well as his claim for a compensable rating for right inguinal hernia. The decision also referred other pending issues to the RO.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain necessary information and evidence, including VA treatment records and private substance abuse treatment records. The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence and for hypertension are being considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to support his claim of PTSD, and thus denied it.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran without a waiver of initial RO review, and also because the veteran requested service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for right shoulder and bilateral hip disorders due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development due to a lack of proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 2002, and the Board finds that his condition warrants a higher rating to 70 percent due to increased severity of symptoms.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's PTSD claim, including obtaining recent treatment records from the Vet Center and VA Medical Center in Austin. The case will be reviewed after these records are obtained.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.