PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence was received is pending.,VA will now remand the matter of service connection for PTSD, which may result in a grant or denial based on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diverticulitis, and IBS. The veteran's schizophrenia was found to be unrelated to his current symptoms of PTSD or IBS. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a service-connected residual scar status post surgery on a right hand abscess and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residual weakness status post surgery on a right hand abscess, finding that the symptoms did not warrant higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot, Type II diabetes mellitus, and PTSD were denied. The Board found no evidence linking any current conditions to military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a thorough examination and additional information.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him incapable of attending to his daily needs without the regular assistance of another person, and he is therefore denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 24, 1997 for his service connection and 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his disability most nearly approximates reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's cause of death was not found to be service-connected or related to the medications he took for his service-connected conditions. Additionally, there is no evidence that VA hospitalization contributed substantially to his death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressor events and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms are of such severity that they cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent initial disability rating.

The veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was granted with an effective date of October 13, 1999. The TDIU is based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for CUE in a July 1992 rating decision and for an earlier effective date for PTSD. The July 1992 decision was not found to be clearly erroneous, and there is no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement.

The VA determined that the veteran's death was not caused by negligence or other fault on the part of VA, and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if PTSD is present and whether residuals of right orchiectomy warrant a compensable rating. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be considered in light of any new evidence obtained.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no verified stressor related to the veteran's service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as there was a verified non-combat stressor during active military service.