PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, was denied by the RO. The Board found that there is no evidence of current respiratory disorders and that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding any such conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of PTSD due to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and concluded that COPD was the primary cause of death. The appellant argued that PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his symptoms not meeting criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims file. This includes obtaining specific information regarding his reported in-service stressor events, corroborating these events, scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorder, and readjudicating his claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and PTSD, but denied reopening of his claim for hepatitis C. The new evidence received since the prior denial shows treatment for a cognitive disorder including depression, anxiety, and PTSD-like symptoms, as well as receipt of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, right and left ear hearing loss, a left knee disorder, arthritis of the right knee, low back disorder, allergy disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture and PTSD with major depression are currently rated at the maximum available ratings, and no higher evaluations are warranted.

The Board determined that there was no CUE in the July 1981 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD, and thus an effective date earlier than June 14, 2006, is not warranted.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and no credible or corroborating evidence to confirm the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and needs to obtain service treatment records, emergency room records, and any other relevant medical records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical spine disability, right ankle strain, left wrist cyst, and bronchial asthma will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an effective date of September 22, 2004. The Veteran's claim is now pending on the issue of entitlement to a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressful events.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent. The Veteran also qualifies for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment including nightmares, impaired short-term memory, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective relationships, hypervigilance with an increased startle response, intrusive thoughts of combat experiences, periods of unprovoked anger, and intermittent suicidal ideation. The Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if they are sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions and unavailability of service treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent for the period from March 30, 2005 to February 21, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to military service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, determining whether the Veteran engaged in combat during service, and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.