PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has found that the veteran's reported stressors have been sufficiently corroborated and that he has a current PTSD diagnosis linked to these stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

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

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD from September 19, 2002, to October 22, 2005.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted due to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including combat experiences in Vietnam. The case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded to the RO for consideration of new evidence and a VA examination.

The veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, has been granted a 50% evaluation since April 8, 1998. The service connection for PTSD was also established.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as insomnia, occasional flashbacks, anxiety, irritability, mild memory problems, and avoidance behavior. The VA has granted a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastritis, hepatitis C, and an anxiety disorder to include PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed stressor events, which are necessary for a determination on his PTSD claim. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's depression and PTSD are rated at 70 percent since July 31, 2003. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, while the left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent. Service connection for the left knee disability was granted effective from July 31, 2003. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient to render her unemployable.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's PTSD renders him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, and his initial rating for PTSD is granted at a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the May 2003 rating decision denying service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is final. As new and material evidence was not received since these decisions, the claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD was received. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including a VA examination report and a Vet Center statement, the Board found no evidence of diagnosed PTSD during or since service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and to obtain VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for a gastric disability, skin rashes, and headaches have been denied as not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with memory loss and cognitive impairment due to head trauma from an in-service personal assault is being remanded for further development.