PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for stomach disability and acid reflux, high blood pressure, and jungle rot of the feet are denied as they are not found to be related to his active military service. The claim for PTSD is also denied due to lack of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-IV.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this.

The Board has remanded the issue of eligibility for attorneys fees from past due benefits, as directed by the Court's April 2007 decision. The case is to be returned to the RO for appropriate development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. Service connection was also denied for right knee and hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. However, the Veteran's claims are denied as there is no credible evidence supporting his claimed stressors or sexual assault in-service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but it remains denied as new and material evidence was not sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional information and verification regarding an in-service stressor. The VA will seek further evidence from the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD as secondary to a sexual assault during active service, finding that the Veteran's account of the incident is credible and consistent with her medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing and clarification of his appeal regarding the July 2007 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and hypertension as there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor and the Veteran did not engage in combat. The Veteran also had normal hearing during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. The appeal also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen claims for a chronic disability manifested by joint aches (claimed as osteoarthritis) and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability, heart disability, pancreatitis, and hypertension. The evidence did not corroborate the claimed in-service stressors or show that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, originated during his service and is therefore granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD.