PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of an in-service stressor, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the veteran's mental health, specifically her claim for PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, respiratory disorders, loss of teeth, and squamous cell carcinoma. The appeals were based on new evidence that reopened previously denied claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not cause total social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since November 6, 1996 and increased to 70 percent effective from November 19, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying a reported stressor event.

The veteran had a pending TDIU claim at the time of his death, which was granted. The cause of death is being addressed separately.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants an initial evaluation of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD and also denied his request to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition.

The veteran is service connected for several conditions and meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for enrollment in VA's healthcare system due to lack of service-connected disabilities and income above the threshold.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed stressors could not be verified. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and asthma, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and throat cancer, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking throat cancer to his active duty. The veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The VA examiner concluded that PTSD, while contributing to some of the veteran's underlying medical problems, was unlikely to have caused or contributed to the development of congestive heart failure and ischemic myocardium.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective from November 1994. The veteran's appeal is about the initial evaluation of this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected, with the stressors occurring during his active duty.