PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors and determine if service connection can be established for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from April 9, 1997. The evaluation for fibromyalgia remains at 20 percent since March 1, 2002. A noncompensable rating was assigned for GERD before August 27, 2003.

The case is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of PTSD. If the claim is denied, the veteran will receive a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a PTSD diagnosis and finds that his other psychiatric conditions are not service-connected. The TDIU claim is also denied as there is no combined rating of 70% or more for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his experiences in Vietnam likely caused or aggravated this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, including witnessing the death of a close friend in a plane crash and exposure to enemy fire. The appeal for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, schizophrenia and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed mental health disorder, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The tinnitus claim has been granted.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric illness, but additional development is needed regarding the underlying merits of the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new evidence that verifies an in-service stressor involving a rocket or mortar attack at his base during Vietnam. The case is remanded to determine if this verified stressor alone is sufficient to establish PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 30, 2001. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired memory, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to her in-service sexual assault and harassment, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service psychiatric disorder or a psychosis within one year after separation from active duty. The VA did not find any current disability related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to newly submitted evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the other conditions are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and left CTS. The evidence now before the RO includes diagnoses of PTSD due to sexual assault during service and depression at discharge.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further consideration of all evidence, including new statements from his healthcare providers submitted by him.