PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The VA denied the veteran's request for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD, finding that his condition only warrants a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and left testicle disability, but granted a 10% rating for the left testicle disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to military service and did not provide a diagnosis or stressor verification. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, for accrued benefits purposes; entitlement to an effective date prior to October 11, 2000, for an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD on a schedular basis or on the basis of a total compensation evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hyperlipidemia, a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma), and a right foot neuroma. The appeals are all denied due to lack of verified stressor for PTSD, lack of evidence linking current conditions to service, and no medical opinion establishing a secondary relationship between diabetes mellitus and the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Saint Francis Hospital from November 30, 2004 to December 2, 2004 due to the emergent nature of the veteran's condition and the lack of feasible VA facilities.

The Board found no verified in-service stressor and thus denied the claim for service connection of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD was reopened but still denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors.

The veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder are currently rated at 50 percent effective November 27, 2007. The rating is for the period from November 4, 2002 through November 27, 2007.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no verified in-service stressor to support his claim, and thus, he did not meet the essential criterion for establishing service connection.

The Board found no current chronic rhinitis or psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with enemy forces and could not provide credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the etiology of the veteran's dysthymic disorder and to obtain additional records from the Fort Harrison VAMC.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice regarding her PTSD claim based on personal assault.

The Board has remanded the case to verify whether the veteran experienced a verified in-service stressor that resulted in PTSD, and to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and there is competent evidence of a nexus between his combat experiences during World War II and the Korean Conflict and his current PTSD. With application of the doctrine of reasonable doubt, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for anxiety disorder. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the veteran's current PTSD to his military service.