PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD was denied as the June 2003 rating decision, which granted service connection for PTSD, is final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experiences in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that his claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The veteran's claim for a 100% evaluation for PTSD was granted effective February 28, 2000. The effective date is not earlier than this date as the grant of service connection occurred on February 28, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder did not cause or contribute substantially to the veteran's death from congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD due to an in-service stressor and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for compensable evaluations for low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed in-service stressors.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VCAA notification. The RO will reassess his PTSD evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the veteran's in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it meets all criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, including an in-service stressor verified by the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

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

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The VA Appeals Management Center (AMC) issued a decision which increased the veteran's service-connected PTSD to 70 percent disabling, effective July 31, 2007. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to that date was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral residuals of frostbite with arthritis and bilateral weak feet, contributed to his development of cardiovascular disease which caused his death. As such, the appeal for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's reported stressors and determine if service connection can be established for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claim is now pending for further adjudication.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD from August 25, 2004 to August 28, 2006 and a subsequent increase to 70 percent as of August 28, 2006.