PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that a psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claimed PTSD is not service-connected due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for his reported in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and other physical complaints are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a military sexual assault during service to support his diagnosis.

The Board has found that the veteran's reports of in-service stressors are corroborated and he is competent to testify regarding his symptoms. However, a remand for further examination is required as medical evidence does not show a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and has reopened the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder including night terrors. The veteran's PTSD is linked to in-service stressors, while his sleep disorder remains under consideration.

The veteran's PTSD was increased to a 70% rating effective August 1, 2005. The effective date is the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for PTSD, a skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure, or a left ankle condition.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran seeks to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection of PTSD. The issue is also related to a new claim for depression, which has not been adjudicated by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he is unemployed due to his non-service-connected heart problems and COPD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD diagnosis is equivocal and not supported by a thorough mental status examination. The alleged combat stressors were not verified, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for schizophrenia, depression, or PTSD. The veteran's psychiatric disorders were not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is due to his own willful misconduct during service, and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 23, 1997 is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for clarification regarding the impact of PTSD on his unemployability.

The veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent prior to April 10, 2008 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The appeal is denied as the criteria for higher ratings are not met.