PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The VA denied a rating in excess of the current 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, citing that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as panic attacks, anxiety, irritability, anger, nightmares, difficulty falling and staying asleep, short- and long-term memory loss, hypervigilance, excess startle response, avoidance, some grooming problems, impaired judgment, intrusive thoughts, disturbances of mood and motivation, and flashbacks. The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for an initial rating of 50 percent disabling for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a disability manifested by low blood pressure with dizziness and lightheadedness, and PTSD. New evidence was submitted that relates to unestablished facts and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran was granted service connection for transient ischemic attacks but not for PTSD or the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and did not reopen the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft (CAD s/p MI).

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD, effective from November 15, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant such a high level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor and the veteran did not engage in combat.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran's reported stressors are not supported by credible evidence. For the pulmonary disorder, as there was no in-service asbestos exposure documented, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for amnesia, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an initial evaluation of 50 percent. The veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability from appeal. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted, with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of a stressor during his active duty service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be reviewed, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no current medical diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is etiologically related to his service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.