PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The appeal for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied because there is no medical evidence linking the current diagnosis to an in-service stressor.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling the veteran for a psychological evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder and severe degenerative disease L4-L5 and degenerative disc disease have not been substantiated by new and material evidence, and thus the appeals are denied.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms cause occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform tasks, but he generally functions fairly well with routine behavior, self-care, and normal conversation due to a depressed mood, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has ordered additional efforts to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including unit histories and contacting the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC). The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that he did not meet all eligibility criteria for a liberalizing law or VA issue and thus was not entitled to retroactive benefits.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates for service connection. The veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to warrant these benefits.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the disability alone did not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and his earlier effective date claim. The denial was based on the absence of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor, and the fact that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and increased evaluations for his left thigh shell fragment wound residuals and right upper back shell fragment wound residuals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported stressor event, a helicopter crash in service, is verified. The VA will schedule him for an examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD related to this event.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incorrect records in the file and missing Social Security Administration disability records.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective March 18, 2008. The veteran's TDIU claim was not granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, as well as further verification of his claimed stressors related to PTSD.