PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO via video teleconferencing. The remaining issues on appeal will be deferred pending the veteran's testimony.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims for service connection for glaucoma, hepatitis C, and PTSD have been addressed, with the PTSD claim resulting in a grant of a disability rating of 70 percent. The TDIU claim has also been restored.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is at least as likely as not a result of his in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment from June 22, 2004. Prior to that date, the disability was characterized by significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence, but finds that there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors. As a result, the claim cannot be granted.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to his death, and the Board granted a higher rating of 70%. However, DIC benefits were not awarded as there was no evidence showing that the cause of death (cardio-respiratory failure due to coronary artery disease and chronic bronchitis) was related to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's PTSD with dementia was rated at 70 percent effective October 25, 2006. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and that the veteran did not engage in combat. The Board also noted that the veteran's claimed stressors were not corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal as to his claims for PTSD, right knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to lack of evidence supporting service connection. The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent before August 10, 2005 or 70 percent thereafter.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD are being remanded to the RO for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed due to his death while the case was pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. The veteran was exposed to body bags in Vietnam, which is a verified stressor event.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for PTSD and affective disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and the current existence of these conditions. The case will be returned to the AOJ after further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim on the merits due to lack of credible supporting evidence that a claimed in-service stressor occurred.

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

The veteran's claims for PTSD and fibromyalgia were denied, as there is no credible evidence of the claimed stressors. The service connection claim for postoperative hemorrhoid disorder was also denied due to lack of a diagnosis of PTSD. A separate rating for the hemorrhoid disorder was granted, but the gastrointestinal disability claim remains denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The reopened claim requires additional development and is the subject of a remand.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further action, including obtaining additional evidence related to the veteran's PTSD claim and ensuring that he is provided proper VCAA notice. The claims for service connection for kidney cancer and PTSD are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies.