PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected brain syndrome and hypopituitarism are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board previously denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The Court has ordered the case back to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on in-service stressors. The kidney disorder is pending as it requires additional evidence to establish a link between the condition and service, such as new medical evidence or supporting testimony. Lung disorder remains pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not result in severe occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing at the RO with a Veterans Law Judge of the Board sitting in Washington D.C. The veteran and his representative should be given an opportunity to prepare for the hearing.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from February 17, 2004 to May 11, 2008. From May 12, 2008 forward, the impairment was more severe.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified stressor and therefore, no link between current PTSD symptoms and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for uterine cancer (also claimed as uterine bleeding) due to lack of evidence showing current disability.,VA found that there was no proximate cause of the veteran's additional disability or death, as her uterine cancer was not caused by VA care, treatment, or examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) search to corroborate the veteran's report of a specific stressor underlying his PTSD. The current record does not show the veteran serving in combat, and credible supporting evidence is necessary to grant service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The TDIU issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of the veteran's disabilities on his employability.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for depression could not be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The PTSD claim was also denied as there is no credible supporting evidence linking the claimed in-service stressor to his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including obtaining a VA psychiatrist's opinion regarding whether the veteran's behaviors in service indicate that he was personally assaulted and for a VA PTSD examination to determine if the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD are met.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. Malaria was also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to new and material evidence, but further development is needed to verify in-service stressors before a decision can be made.

The Board has decided that the veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include major depression and PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from June 6, 2000, to January 20, 2001, and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from January 26, 2001, to October 23, 2002; from February 1, 2003, to June 28, 2004; and from November 1, 2004. The Court has vacated the Board's decision on these issues and remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder that can be linked to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.