PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining clinical records and counseling statements from the Boston Vet Center and VA Medical Center. The veteran's PTSD is being evaluated for impairment due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Houston, Texas. The veteran and his representative will be notified of the date and time of the hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because he did not engage in combat with the enemy and his alleged in-service stressors have not been verified.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest diagnosis was in October 2003 and thus the effective date could not be earlier than November 10, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiac disability with cardiomyopathy and CHF, PTSD, and a skin disorder presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The veteran's heart condition was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is there evidence of a link between the current disability and service. Service connection for PTSD could not be established due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor event. There is no evidence of a skin disorder related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor, an automobile accident during active military service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. However, it was not established that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the back and PTSD, finding that the GSW was incurred as a result of willful misconduct and that there is no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board Hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, and reopening the claim for left knee disorder are still pending.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10% since the grant of service connection. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted, as his symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in 1990 based on the evidence of record, which included a diagnosis of adjustment disorder and possible histrionic personality disorder. The veteran appealed this decision, alleging CUE.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as there is credible supporting evidence linking his symptoms to an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is linked to his service in Vietnam, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's reported in-service sexual assault provided credible supporting evidence and resulted in behavioral changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with his service and there is no clear or convincing evidence to the contrary. The claim for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD requires further development to corroborate his claimed in-service stressor. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.

The RO reduced the evaluation of the veteran's service-connected prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent disabling effective October 1, 2005. The reduction was proper and restoration of a 100 percent evaluation is not warranted.