PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in July 1999 and March 2000. The reopened claim is now pending.

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

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

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and additional records needed from the Colorado Vet Center. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claims of service connection for throat surgery, skin condition of the feet, and PTSD.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.,The claim of service connection for liver disease and hepatitis C/Cirrhosis is reopened, but the preponderance of the evidence shows that the most likely cause of the veteran's hepatitis C was his intravenous drug use.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and TDIU due to lack of legal entitlement.

The Board granted increased ratings for cataracts and PTSD, found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and denied service connection for cardiomyopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee disorder, headaches, hypertension, and a low back disorder due to lack of current diagnoses and no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no more. The evidence shows total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as chronic insomnia, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, irritability, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle reflex, difficulty concentrating, low frustration tolerance, and suicidal ideation without any plan or intent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 5, 2000. His initial evaluation is set at 70%.

The veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptoms including poor sleep, nightmares, depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, and memory loss. However, his overall level of social and occupational impairment does not rise to the level required for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that further development is needed to determine if the veteran experienced stressors in Vietnam and whether those stressors led to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD more nearly approximates a level of overall impairment resulting in his being precluded from substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for mental illness, including PTSD secondary to a personal assault, finding no evidence of a current disability and no medical nexus between his period of active service and his claimed conditions.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for the service-connected post-traumatic degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective as of October 6, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

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

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent from December 18, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's mental disorder and its connection to service. The claim will be reconsidered after further development.