PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

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

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from August 20, 2003 through September 25, 2005. From September 26, 2005, the VA determined that a staged evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the April 2003 grant of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of corroborating evidence for the claimed in-service stressor event, leading to the decision to sever service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and denying service connection for hypertension as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including killing civilians and encountering a prostitute who was actually a young boy, were not verified. As a result, service connection for PTSD could not be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or tinnitus, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The veteran's symptoms are more consistent with an adjustment disorder rather than PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute to his cause of death, which was due to myocardial infarction, hypertension, and end stage renal disease. The VA physician opinions supported this conclusion.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, degenerative joint disease, and sebaceous cyst. The veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and a bladder wound are dismissed as they are legally precluded due to the finality of previous rating decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of new and material evidence, specifically a credible diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for a TDIU as it is his only service-connected disability and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examination regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The appeal is currently pending.

The veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, reflecting mild to moderate impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The veteran's hepatitis C has been rated as noncompensable. The VA examinations did not show incapacitating episodes or anorexia, which are required for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, service connection for a seizure disorder, and service connection for PTSD. The reasons were that there was no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, finding no new and material evidence that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed acquired neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for hepatitis C, degenerative disc disease, and grinding of teeth were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and procedural defects, including a need for comprehensive psychiatric testing and service personnel records. The veteran is also advised that failure to report for any scheduled examination may result in the denial of his claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and it is now granted.