PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet was dismissed due to the lack of a timely filed Substantive Appeal. The Board lacks jurisdiction over this issue.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the November 1986 rating decision which denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The effective date for the 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is still pending.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to March 19, 2002 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor and no diagnosis of PTSD. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and his allegations of stressful events were not supported by credible evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include post-traumatic stress disorder), finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions warranting presumptive service connection. The diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded it to the RO for further development before readjudicating the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying a combat-related stressor and scheduling an examination for PTSD. The veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since October 9, 1970 to November 18, 1975. The Board determined that the criteria for a 100 percent rating have been met during this period.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by isolative tendencies, irritability, hyperarousal, occasional nightmares, avoidance, and sleep disturbance resulting in mild to moderate occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a disability rating of 50 percent appropriate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for IBS and GERD, finding no evidence to support these conditions as related to his active duty service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's PTSD was denied an increased rating, and his claims for peripheral neuropathy, CLL, and left ear hearing loss were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran was exposed to asbestos during service and whether his current lung disorders and psychological conditions are related to that exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and consideration of the claim, including considering new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are necessary to determine the nature of the veteran's claimed PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, including whether they are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing records from the Social Security Administration.

The VA denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, as the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptomatology is mild and does not warrant a higher rating, as it does not meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.