PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of objective evidence demonstrating a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred. The Veteran's STRs were negative for any complaints, diagnoses, or treatment related to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD was granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, but the appeal remains in controversy as he seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD have been denied, as the evidence does not support these diagnoses. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, finding that both conditions are consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of in-service combat. The Veteran's statements regarding his experiences during service have been found credible.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for PTSD in December 2007.

The Veteran's appeal was granted in part. The claim of service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was increased to a 30 percent rating effective from September 15, 2006.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, but the claim is remanded due to lack of verification of claimed stressors and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, lung disability, and bilateral eye disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and a respiratory disorder were denied. The claim to reopen the acne claim was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is shown by competent medical evidence and the VA examiner opined that it was more likely than not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no verified stressor or other evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to verified in-service stressors and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death. The issue of entitlement to death pension benefits is also being addressed.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathy. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The appellant's stressors, including being present during mortar and rocket fire attacks in Vietnam, have been confirmed. As a result, the claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and service connection for an eye condition, attributing the latter to diabetes mellitus. The Board found no evidence linking the eye condition to service or any other theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and a VA orthopedic examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for PTSD, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee retropatellar syndrome, and left knee retropatellar syndrome are being addressed.

The Board is remanding the case to conduct a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at the RO, as an adequate transcript of the March 2009 hearing could not be produced. The Veteran requested this hearing and has accepted it.