PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded to determine if there was an in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has not, overall, produced a complex of manifestations that result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no persuasive medical diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and clarification of his service-connected PTSD, as well as a determination on his TDIU claim. The RO must obtain medical records from the Lowell Vets Outreach Center and arrange for a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of a left shoulder injury to include a rotator cuff tear, and residuals of a low back injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The RO is instructed to obtain information from the U.S. Army and JSRRC about the 50th Medical Detachment's involvement with transporting and handling dead bodies during the veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's reported stressors are corroborated and whether he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective April 26, 2004. The symptoms include a depressed mood, anxiety, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and mild memory loss.

The veteran's PTSD causes significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in duty to assist and duty to obtain evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is attributable to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his condition was primarily manifested by sleep problems including nightmares and intrusive thoughts, without evidence of alcohol abuse being a symptom of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's reported in-service stressors, including being kidnapped and sexually assaulted, have not been corroborated. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss, PTSD, a skin rash, and left ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence to support the assertions or service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the occurrence of his claimed stressors and their relationship to his current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's stressors during service in Vietnam are credible and consistent with his service record. The veteran is now entitled to VA benefits related to his PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no verified in-service stressor and the veteran did not engage in combat. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on a non-verified incident during service, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the veteran's PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective prior to January 10, 2005.