PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's reported in-service stressors and to determine if his current PTSD diagnosis is related to those stressors. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that there is no evidence to support his claims for depression and anxiety. The appeals were denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increase ratings, and individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and an absence of a diagnosed PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, or any other factors. The examiner will also assess if the veteran's PTSD caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the underlying claim as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD and found that the veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from February 29, 2004. The initial ratings for his left and right knee disabilities remain at 10 percent each.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to a degree warranting an increased rating.

The VA denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pursuit of a law school education is not necessary to improve his independence in daily living and does not meet the criteria for additional vocational and rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Individual Independent Living Program.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, which is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the veteran's claimed stressors. The claim is now being reviewed to determine if service connection for PTSD should be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that prior to December 20, 2001, he did not provide sufficient information for VA to identify and obtain relevant service department records from official sources.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a higher 70 percent since April 29, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 50 percent evaluation of PTSD is September 18, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his PTSD and chronic renal failure service connection claims, as well as his claims for dyspnea, respiratory disability, and heart condition. The decision also found that he did not have a respiratory disability or heart condition.