PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's spouse is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to the Veteran having a service-connected disability that is permanent and totally disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee chondromalacia, and bilateral knee arthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by infrequent nightmares, concentration difficulties, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, irritability and some social isolation resulting in mild to moderate social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that a disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to July 16, 2009 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met in either time period.

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

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for residuals of bladder cancer prior to May 14, 2001 and for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service due to a lack of verified stressors related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD or any link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a request for a new hearing. The Veteran's claims for asthma, PTSD, and pulmonary tuberculosis are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a request for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prior to April 13, 2000 and another issue requesting a higher initial rating for PTSD from April 13, 2000. The Board has determined that these issues are intertwined with the secondary service connection claim for alcohol dependence as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1310 based on the theory that PTSD, not service-connected at the time of his death, contributed to the Veteran's demise.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now remanded to determine if there was credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD qualifies him for permanent and total disability rating, which makes him eligible to receive VA medical care. However, the treatment provided at St. Elizabeth Medical Center was non-emergent and feasible VA facilities were available.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% schedular rating throughout the appeal period.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, has withdrawn it.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors in Vietnam, and to attempt to verify these alleged events through official records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing and a VA PTSD stressor questionnaire.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis of or treatment for these conditions during his military service, and he was first diagnosed with diabetes mellitus approximately 13 years after discharge from his last period of service.