PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional analysis.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of an in-service stressor and a VA examination to assess whether the veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors, and therefore, the diagnosis of PTSD is not associated with his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and new evidence of service connection were denied. The left ear hearing loss is rated as zero percent disabling, PTSD is rated at 30 percent, recurrent right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, gastritis has no service connection, URI does not have a current onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service, left knee sprain and right ankle sprain do not have a current onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service, and right ear hearing loss is not service connected.

The veteran is seeking an extension of her basic period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits due to a physical or mental disability that prevented her from initiating or completing her chosen program of education. The case has been remanded to obtain additional development, including psychiatric treatment records and clarification of the dates during which she was unable to work or attend training.

The Board finds that service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is warranted due to exposure to hepatitis C during his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in work and family relations. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, concluding that there is no evidence of a current disability and noting conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied service connection for Bipolar Disorder. The decision is mixed as it reopened the claim for PTSD and granted it, while denying the claim for Bipolar Disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic PTSD. The veteran served in Vietnam and experienced combat-related stressors, leading to a diagnosis of chronic PTSD. Service connection is granted for this condition. Chronic tinnitus was also found to have originated during active service due to inservice noise exposure from aircraft operations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as the veteran passed away on May [redacted], 2007.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further action, including informing the claimant of their rights and providing a supplemental statement of the case if benefits are denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C, including a need to address evidence of personal assault for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding that there is a 50 percent or better probability that these disorders are etiologically related to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent effective July 21, 2003. The rating remained unchanged as the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.