PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's claimed stressor events in service and determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on a verified stressor event during his time in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing SSA records.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that beginning December 6, 2007, a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, including lack of confirmed stressors and a need for further examination. The veteran is requested to provide information about his alleged stressors and undergo an examination if necessary.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant the more severe rating of 70 percent.

The veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO needs to arrange for VA examinations and opinions regarding his current employment status.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD and did not grant TDIU. The VA found that his PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Board denied all claims, including the initial evaluation for tinnitus and the compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an effective date prior to September 7, 2005, for service connection of PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the veteran's reported in-service stressors and obtain relevant military unit histories. The case will be returned for further development.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and outstanding medical records.

The veteran's death was caused by COPD, which is not service-connected.,The veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from March 2, 2007, based on his symptoms of moderately severe depression, suicidal ideation without intent, impairment of thought process and communication, memory loss, lack of concentration, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, anger, irritability, avoidance of others, and serious social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 2, 2003. The VA examinations and treatment records indicate that the veteran experiences mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, but his overall occupational and social functioning is not significantly impaired.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his PTSD existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. The other diagnoses were also determined to be unrelated to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the verified enemy rocket attack in service caused or contributed to the veteran's PTSD diagnosis.