PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for further development to verify the claimed stressors and determine if they occurred during his service. The case will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his subjective complaints of memory loss or residuals of left ankle injury. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of an inservice occurrence and no medical nexus linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, due to new and material evidence. However, it is not granted as there is no credible evidence linking any current psychiatric disorders to service or in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The evidence supports a finding that the veteran was exposed to a stressor during his active service, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss did not cause his death, as there is no evidence showing a causal connection between the conditions and his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU is denied.

The veteran's skin rash of the right leg does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.,PTSD was not diagnosed, and service connection is denied.,Residuals of a concussion were not found, and no head injury was noted in service records.,No evidence linked current back disability to service.,Cataracts/blindness were not diagnosed at the time of discharge from service, and there is no evidence linking current condition to service.,Peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure was not diagnosed as a result of Agent Orange exposure.,Diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure was not diagnosed or established through service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have combat duty and his alleged in-service stressors relating to non-combat related service were not corroborated. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The VA denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining morning reports and medical records, as well as providing the veteran with a PTSD evaluation and an examination for his low back and left leg disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's PTSD claim is being considered for an increased rating, while his hypertension claim requires clarification on whether it was incurred during service or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision. The issues of service connection for a genitourinary condition and an effective date prior to November 29, 1999 for PTSD have not been decided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, residuals of frostbite to the hands and feet, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The veteran was not provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his PTSD claim, which is necessary before further appellate consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 24, 2002 at non-VA facilities due to lack of prior authorization and because the treatment was not for a service-connected disability.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The other claims for increased ratings have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and treatment records. The veteran's service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is being reviewed based on new information provided by his therapist.