PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, cardiovascular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors are not supported by credible evidence. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in or aggravated by active service, and his back disorder is considered a direct result of the veteran's military service. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a claimed stressor not supported by evidence, and thus grants restoration of service connection. The special monthly pension claim based on need for aid and attendance is denied.

The veteran's PTSD was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 2, 2003, and the current 70 percent rating since that date is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hypertension (claimed as secondary to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus), and Coronary Artery Disease (claimed as secondary to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus).

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 30 percent. The residual scars from shell fragment wounds on his chest and back do not warrant compensable ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for his chest scar. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO.

The veteran died before the effective date of the VCAA amendment, so the appellant is not entitled to additional accrued benefits beyond the maximum two-year period.

The VA has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's PTSD claim due to a lack of mental status examination in the previous record.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and determine if they are sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has ordered additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to verified stressors, including witnessing his friend's suicide at Fort Stewart in 1990 and a back injury in 1991.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2000 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of service connection for PTSD may not be reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 20, 2001 for the grant of service connection for PTSD due to a final denial in November 2000 and no new evidence submitted within one year.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private clinical records, providing notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3), and determining whether an examination is warranted to assess the appellant's psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining unit records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran suffers from PTSD based on in-service stressors.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms include sleeping problems, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, panic attacks, decreased attention and concentration, avoidance reactions, and impulsive unprovoked anger. The RO granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of her period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill) beyond September 24, 2004 due to a lack of medical evidence showing that she was prevented from initiating or completing a program of education during the delimiting period.