PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has vacated its previous decision and is now remanding the case for further development, including verifying the veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of a medical nexus between the veteran's in-service stressor and service, thus denying his claim for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as his current condition is linked to in-service stressors involving exposure to combat zone trauma and mortar attacks. The veteran's testimony regarding these events was corroborated by other evidence, including a December 1968 letter written during his Vietnam service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD related to service and denied his claim for service connection for cause of death due to PTSD.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD on June 27, 2008.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, but the Board finds that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine if he currently has PTSD and what its etiology might be. The examiner should consider his experiences as part of a standby battalion during evacuation operations in Southeast Asia.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. However, the criteria for service connection have not been met as the in-service stressors cannot be verified and there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating from September 1, 2006. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression as secondary to PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify stressors and conduct a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to request treatment records from a private physician and for obtaining current VA treatment records. The veteran is requested to provide authorization for release of medical records from Dr. Z. Siddiqui at Alegent Health Psychiatric Association, and all relevant VA treatment records since November 2004 are to be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for Heat Stroke residuals. The veteran's PTSD is found to be due to in-service trauma, while his Heat Stroke residuals are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of reopening his PTSD service connection, finding no new and material evidence.,Service connection for facial paralysis was also denied as there is no verified stressor related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor does he have a need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to an in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.