PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment, or acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his claim for service connection of hepatitis C secondary to PTSD has been granted. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine injury, right and left knee disabilities, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, a psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder), and a heart condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

Service connection is granted for vision problems due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for undifferentiated connective tissue disease, prostate problems, fibromyalgia, memory problems, and PTSD.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records related to a sexual assault and harassment incident during service, including investigation reports and personal evaluation records. The appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for PTSD and a low back disability. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that her depression is not separate from her PTSD. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations before deciding the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, due to lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and current psychiatric disorders not being shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further investigation into the reported stressor events.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD from August 19, 2003 and found that the Veteran's heart disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's 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 PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors and the Veteran did not engage in combat.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression should be remanded due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, or tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors leading to PTSD, nor is there credible supporting evidence linking current symptoms to service. For tinnitus, while the appellant reported hearing damage from service, no direct link was established between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and schedule a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be remanded due to its dependency on the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's left renal cell carcinoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have resulted from exposure to herbicide agents. The Board denied the claim for PTSD as there is no evidence of a verified stressor and the current diagnosis does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or a headache disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence and medical diagnosis.