PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran does not have a competent medical diagnosis of PTSD related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hepatitis due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the cause of the veteran's abdominal midsagittal scar and its relation to service. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but there are questions about whether the claimed stressor events occurred or if the current symptoms are related to those events.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis A, B, and C, bilateral pes planus, brain damage, TDIU, and pension benefits due to lack of verifiable in-service stressors and insufficient evidence linking current conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim. For PTSD, the Board concluded there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service, but also noted that the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is linked to a stressor involving the death of his friend in his assigned military unit in the Republic of Vietnam during active duty, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for genital herpes were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosed anxiety disorder with panic attacks during service, nor did the medical evidence establish that his current psychiatric disorders began in service.

The VA is required to verify a claimed stressor related to the veteran's PTSD and then decide if service connection can be granted based on that verified information.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure proper notice was provided regarding the conditions for which the veteran was service-connected at the time of his death, and what evidence and information is required to substantiate the claim based on these previously service-connected conditions.

The veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on in-service stressors, but the RO needs to verify if his unit was subjected to enemy attacks during his service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the veteran's service records and the need for further verification of his claimed stressors. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD related to his time aboard an assault craft in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD is being remanded due to scheduling issues. The hearing has been rescheduled.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent treatment records and a need to consider evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxiety.

The Board has found that the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder had new and material evidence to reopen. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining information about alleged stressors during service and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is insufficient evidence to verify his claimed stressor, and he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board has restored the veteran's PTSD rating from 70 percent to 50 percent effective July 1, 2006. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as less than total social and occupational impairment.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher disability rating than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant a 70 percent or higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is no longer pending due to an October 13, 2005 letter from the veteran's attorney. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.