PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and does not have objective chronic indications of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been verified, and her current diagnosis of PTSD is not based on a verified stressor. Therefore, the acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran claims service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. The RO needs to obtain all relevant medical records from the Fort Sam Houston medical facility in San Antonio, Texas (from 1962), as well as from other health care facilities where the veteran received treatment for his psychiatric disorders. A psychiatric examination should be scheduled to determine if there is a link between the veteran's military service and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but denied both the PTSD and hepatitis C claims on the merits. The veteran did not engage in combat during active service, and the preponderance of the competent medical evidence shows he does not have PTSD secondary to non-combat service related stressors. The veteran's hepatitis C was contracted as a result of extensive post-service alcohol and intravenous (IV) drug use, and is not otherwise causally related to his period of active military service.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms warrant this rating based on occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including employment records and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the veteran's complete service medical records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and to provide her with a VA examination. The case will be reviewed after these developments.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for PTSD and a bladder disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that he was not statutorily eligible for benefits prior to September 15, 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no credible evidence of a stressor event in service, and therefore, no diagnosis of PTSD based on such an event can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has decided the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further investigation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of current PTSD severity and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and ordered further development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors. The veteran must provide more specific information regarding her alleged stressors, which will be verified through military unit records search and possibly a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's PTSD, fibromyalgia, and hemorrhoids are related to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating since February 29, 2000.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors.