PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD in March 2004 due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The Veteran did not appeal this decision, making it final. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The evidence submitted since the final July 1997 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of establishing the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and mild to moderate disc bulging at L4-5 with mild bilateral neural stenosis are granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran is now diagnosed with PTSD which can be linked to his military service, as he engaged in combat during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury was denied. His claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent disabling since June 14, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and cardiovascular disability were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and verifying another claimed stressor event.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, or other conditions leading to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to address the Veteran's May 2008 RO hearing testimony and reasons for not granting a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and stressor development letter. The appellant's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and impulse control disorder are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his service, and thus, his claim for PTSD cannot be granted based on a verified in-service stressor. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no verified in-service stressor and his combat experience does not meet the criteria for establishing such a claim. The Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD is based on his own statements without independent verification.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by social isolation, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms resulting in reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.