PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice and development of records, including verification of service in the Naval Reserves after 1971, police investigation records related to a shooting incident during service, and FBI investigation records. The veteran's claim for PTSD and depression is also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not incurred or aggravated in service, as it was due to his own willful misconduct (alcohol abuse). As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her service-connected disabilities' impact on her employability.

The veteran's service-connected recurrent tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent evaluation, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus must be denied as a matter of law.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to in-service stressors, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating during the specified periods.

The Board denied the veteran's request to withhold compensation due to his receipt of separation pay, finding that recoupment was required by law.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors, and thus could not establish that his current PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining unit records and verifying stressors, scheduling a VA examination, and locating SSA records.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed in-service stressors were not corroborated by supporting evidence. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an effective date of March 29, 1996. This is the earliest possible effective date given the facts in this case.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA mental health examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD, finding that there was no factual basis prior to May 7, 2003.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 due to incomplete records, need for further examination, and additional development of evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD does not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms most nearly approximate the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records from SSA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor event, and service connection for PTSD is granted.