PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic prostatitis, hepatitis C, and chronic bronchitis were denied. The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for hepatitis C and chronic bronchitis prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for panic disorder, PTSD, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by memory loss are denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD and to schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of her claimed memory loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was diagnosed during service and is considered to have been incurred in service, thus granting service connection for PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of nerve damage or gunshot wound residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and there is no credible supporting evidence of a stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD, scars of the groin as residuals of fungal infection, myositis, degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, appendectomy scar, and diabetes mellitus with complications are addressed in the Remand portion.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis and denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which had its onset during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's statements about his combat experiences are credible, and thus finds him to have participated in combat. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor event and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or depression, and thus these claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, left eye amblyopia, and COPD have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The disability picture does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has found the Veteran's account of his stressor of being a fuel truck driver in Iraq to be credible and accepted as accurate. The Veteran is therefore entitled to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described by VA examiners and treatment records. The rating has been granted based on the criteria for a 50 percent disability under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has determined that additional development of the record is required due to unverified stressors and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not have PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for arthritis of the hands, chronic upper and lower back pains with degenerative changes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The decision also addressed claims for service connection for arthritis and bursitis of the hips and knees.