PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD have been denied. The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a residual disability due to treatment for prostate cancer is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his claims, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disturbances of motivation and mood, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested primarily by difficulty sleeping, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, depression, social isolation, irritability, exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and paranoia. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events. The claim will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from keeping himself ordinarily clean and presentable, or to avoid the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance. Therefore, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for a back disability and granting an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's pre-existing back condition was aggravated by service. For PTSD, the Veteran's current symptomatology does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, lung disability, hiatal hernia, arthritis of the spine, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after active duty, and there is insufficient continuity of symptomatology to support a finding that they are related to military service.

The Veteran's death was not determined to be service-connected, and the Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for a Travel Board hearing at the appropriate location.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been presented to support his claim. The case is remanded to allow further development, including submission of the Veteran's claim to an appropriate medical or mental health professional for an opinion regarding whether it indicates a personal assault occurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is attributable to in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by more than definite impairment during the period from June 1, 1995, to March 30, 1997. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and also denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to unverified claimed stressors and conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a verified stressor during service, and his dental trauma is not considered due to in-service trauma. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection of PTSD due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.