PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim is now considered on its merits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 10 percent disabling since October 20, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 30 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The issue of bipolar disorder is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed PTSD, right shoulder and right knee disabilities are not service-connected due to insufficient evidence of inservice stressors.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor has not been verified by objective evidence, and thus service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a Personality Disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adult attention deficit disorder (ADD). The evidence did not show any chronic or persistent disability related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current PTSD and low back disorder are not related to his active service, as there is no verified in-service stressor for PTSD or a confirmed history of injury leading to his current condition. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD due to the Veteran's reported stressors, and therefore remands the case for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD as required by VA regulations, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 7, 2007. The rating is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD. The VA medical records include diagnoses of PTSD, and the Veteran reported stressors related to his duties at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining evidence that may corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied. The RO found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher initial rating or for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 15, 2004. The symptoms have caused mild social, recreational, and vocational impairment.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and provide an official history or logs for any ship he served on during his alleged stressor periods. The VA is also required to conduct a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD was caused by his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis as secondary to PTSD or due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has requested additional information from the Veteran's unit records and morning reports to verify his claimed stressors. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of combat exposure and the stressors are not corroborated. The medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD related to military service.