PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service, specifically his combat experiences in Vietnam. The Board found credible evidence of participation in combat and confirmed duties as a mine sweeper, which are consistent with engaging in combat.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, as there was insufficient evidence that any claimed stressors actually occurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his accidental oral methadone overdose, leading to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted. The claim for accrued benefits beyond two years remains unresolved as there is no legal basis for such payment.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as nightmares, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA, Total Health Care, Reserve service, and completing a PTSD questionnaire.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or PTSD with a sleep disorder due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective January 31, 2002. The VA has granted a total (100%) disability rating for the period from April 22, 2004 onwards.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there was no credible evidence of a verified stressor. As a result, service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder could not be granted.

The veteran's current basal cell carcinoma residuals were caused by sun exposure during service, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for basal cell carcinoma.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial ratings assigned for a skin condition and PTSD were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and there is no evidence of a thoracic or cervical spine disorder related to service. The veteran's tinnitus was also found not to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from January 8, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of March 15, 2001 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied because there is no definitive diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records, and thus, the preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's death was caused by a motor vehicle accident, not related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied. The veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. 1318 as he was not rated totally disabled for at least 5 years from the date of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experience in Vietnam.

The veteran seeks service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the case is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding a claimed in-service stressor. Additional development, including verification of the stressor and a VA psychiatric examination, will be conducted.