PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the March 1991 rating decision denying service connection for bipolar disorder was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and a grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is now granted. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the March 1991 and April 1993 rating decisions that denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and TDIU, finding that there was no factual ascertainable increase in disability prior to April 2, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran was exposed to stressors in service and to obtain his missing service medical records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but additional development is required regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The Board found no evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder during or contemporaneous with service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a current disability related to service. The claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and those secondary to radiation exposure. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding an increased evaluation for service-connected PTSD, indicating satisfaction with the current 50 percent rating.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including leg and back pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, alcohol abuse-induced liver disease, PTSD, hearing loss, and attempted suicide. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 5, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is required for service connection. Therefore, the claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate stressor development and VCAA compliance issues. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed stressors were not verified. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD linked to a confirmed in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a gastrointestinal disorder, and a right knee disability. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective May 26, 2000. The RO later granted a temporary 100 percent evaluation from June 1, 2003 due to hospitalization over 21 days.

The evidence supports a finding that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by sleep difficulty, irritability, hyperarousability, anxiety, depression, and social problems resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that the schedular criteria for an initial 50 percent rating are met.