PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence for any of his claimed in-service stressors. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection for his mental health conditions are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and emphysema due to lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice regarding his claims for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD produces significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher rating than the current 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from March 7, 2005.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the highest initial rating available under VA guidelines.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and records to determine service connection for PTSD and left ankle issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for liver cancer, secondary to alcohol abuse and PTSD. The VA needs to obtain all relevant medical records and provide a psychiatric opinion on whether alcohol abuse was caused by service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating and an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are being considered. The Board will review the evidence to determine if it supports granting these ratings.

The Board has found that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his service in Vietnam, and therefore, his PTSD is presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors and thus no diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service event.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and dysthymia, finding no credible diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for dysthymia.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability as a result of a left foot injury in service and is not entitled to an increased rating for his hallux valgus deformity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to April 5, 2004, and to a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter; entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 13, 2000, and to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter; and service connection for carcinoma of the nasopharynx and sphenoid bone due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence linking his current conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and vasospasms of the hands and feet, but denied service connection for low back disability. The veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD based on new evidence that includes a verified stressor event. The claim will now be reviewed de novo to determine if service connection can be established.