PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and found that credible supporting evidence of a sexual assault during service exists. Service connection is also granted for residuals of head injury, but the veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis claim remains pending as further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify stressors and determine if service connection can be established for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for skin cysts of the face and acne of both arms and scalp due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam is granted. The veteran's claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hypothyroidism, colon polyps, ulcers, and a skin disorder. The evidence did not support these claims as there was no current diagnosis or link to service.

The veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective from May 31, 2005. The earlier effective date of May 31, 2005 is also granted.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in severe impairment but not the more severe criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and concluding that the veteran's symptoms were not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, but it is not clear whether this evidence alone would be sufficient to grant service connection due to the absence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including PTSD, low back disorder, and residuals of brain aneurysm, are not related to service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher initial disability evaluation, as it is currently rated at 50 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for proper VCAA notice regarding increased disability ratings.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD did not warrant an evaluation greater than 50 percent prior to March 22, 2005.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence, including a private psychiatric evaluation. The issue will be remanded to allow further development of VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including providing the veteran with notice about alternative sources of evidence and scheduling a VA PTSD examination.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 18, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD as there was no legal basis to support such a claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD results in occasional occupational and social impairment, but not to a degree warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of supporting evidence.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of verified stressors and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a Social and Industrial survey to determine employment status and a VA examination of PTSD severity. The veteran's claim for TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claim.