PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in October 2000. The case is now ready for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors are not verified, and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed stressors are combat-related and related to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is likely to have had its onset during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper notice has been provided. The claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and right knee injury residuals will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on March 22, 2002. The RO denied this claim in June 2002 but the Veteran filed a timely NOD and subsequent substantive appeal by June 30, 2003. As his original claim is considered pending, the effective date of service connection for PTSD is set to March 22, 2002.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to substantiate the diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service harassment. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with Major Depression will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for hypertension. Service connection is granted for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, while hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and considering lay evidence from fellow service members.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating of 20 percent for his right shoulder rotator cuff tear, but denied all other claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not credible and denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and did not find new and material evidence to reopen his claim of alcohol abuse.

The Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and nerve problems. The Veteran did not engage in combat, and there is no verified stressor related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation. However, he was denied entitlement to TDIU as his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is a result of in-service sexual assault and harassment, which was not reported at the time. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed as there is no legal entitlement to such a date.