PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and left knee disorders, but denied service connection for residuals of lower left lung removal, rib removal, and right knee disorder. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt in favor of the veteran regarding PTSD, and no current evidence supports a link between asbestos exposure and any current respiratory or knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD as secondary to service-connected sinusitis, and his claim for an increased rating for sinusitis. The veteran's sinusitis is currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with at least one in-service stressor verified.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding in-service stressors and the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records, ship logs, and verifying alleged stressors. The veteran's PTSD is currently diagnosed but the claim remains pending as further evidence is sought.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran is also required to provide any necessary releases for these records.

The VA assigned a 100 percent schedular evaluation for PTSD effective from April 12, 2001. The veteran's claim was received on that date.

The VA determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's PTSD to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no competent medical evidence or opinion establishing an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 17, 1995 for the award of service connection and assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD as well as the grant of a TDIU.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that VCAA-complying notice is needed regarding the assignment of an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and denied increased disability ratings for joint pain in hands and knees, hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, gastritis, and duodenitis, and chronic muscle tension headaches. The veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder pain and PTSD were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional impairment or other criteria.

The veteran is mentally competent for VA benefit purposes, despite suffering from a disabling psychiatric disorder and the residuals of a cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, unverified stressors, and need for a VA examination. The veteran's claims for anxiety/depression and PTSD are pending.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant symptoms such as depression, anxiety, nightmares, and a sense of hopelessness. The Board has determined that the disability warrants an initial rating of 30 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's earlier effective date claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU, assigning them both to November 22, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to obtain additional medical records. The veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD based on direct evidence, but his claim remains pending due to unverified stressor allegations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressor. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.