PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder to include anxiety, residuals of rubella, right ankle disability, and left shoulder disability were all denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,VA did not provide a VA examination in response to the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor involving a plot to sabotage the USS Ranger. The Board determined that this evidence is sufficient to establish service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 50 percent effective May 29, 2003. The rating was increased to 70 percent as of March 13, 2008. Service connection for residuals of a foot rash and Hepatitis C were not established. TDIU was granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a video-conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and opinions regarding the relationship between his current mental health problems and service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's PTSD claim for further development, including a VA examination to determine if her symptoms are related to in-service personal assault harassment.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for proper adjudication of the accrued benefits claim and to address the inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for cause of death. The appellant is entitled to a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and corroborating a claimed in-service stressor. The appellant's PTSD claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD, TDIU, Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, and a left knee disorder. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is fixed at May 20, 2004.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed in-service stressor or combat-related PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent disabling, and the effective date for service connection remains March 16, 2005.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the veteran's exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam is presumed. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy but his claimed stressors are corroborated by evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level of disability (100%), due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, and is remanding the underlying issue of whether he is entitled to service connection on the merits.