PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left eardrum rupture and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus prior to July 6, 2005 was also denied. However, the veteran's TDIU claim was not addressed as it is unclear if this issue was part of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the currently assigned 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to in-service personal assaults and finds it as likely as not that these events contributed to his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of specific stressor events and examination by a psychiatrist to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and esophageal cancer, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's PTSD does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, so he is not entitled to a higher initial rating than the currently assigned 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral leg disability and low back disability (claimed as residuals of a broken tailbone), but service connection for head injury and PTSD are denied.,The veteran's current back conditions are related to an intercurrent work-related injury, not to any incident in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient verification of stressors and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not engage in combat with the enemy, making it impossible to establish service connection for PTSD. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and Parkinsonism as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of these conditions or that they are related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not participate in combat with the enemy during his service in Vietnam and thus could not establish a stressor related to his claimed PTSD. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD primarily manifests with symptoms of nightmares, night sweats, anxiety, depression, and hyperarousal. The criteria for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD have been met.

The veteran's schizophrenia and PTSD are currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The claim for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and verifying a reported stressor. The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, heart disability including coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy (ulnar mononeuropathy) were all denied. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions started during or were otherwise related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.