PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing STRs and need for further development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, obtaining VA treatment records, and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an extension of her delimiting date for receiving educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, beyond October 25, 1996. The proper delimiting date was found to be January [redacted], 2005.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his reported stressful incidents in service are corroborated by statements from two comrades and he has been diagnosed with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to the need for an examination and review of his service stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but the case will be further examined to determine if any other acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his Vietnam War-related experiences are sufficient evidence to establish the occurrence of a stressor related to his PTSD.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied due to lack of verifiable stressor evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and depression with PTSD have been granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for each condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to verify a sexual assault stressor, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. For the throat injury claim, there is no current diagnosis or supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with mild symptoms, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and compliance with VCAA notification requirements.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported in-service stressors have been verified and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death and addressing the appellant's accrued benefits claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, granting his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had hepatitis during his military service, which is currently diagnosed as hepatitis C. Service connection for hepatitis C is therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current manifestations and symptoms of his service-connected PTSD, including distinguishing between symptoms attributable to PTSD and any other diagnosed psychological disorders. The SSA records are also to be considered in readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment provided by TAMC - The Aroostook Medical Center on January 28, 2007, July 24, 2007, July 31, 2007, and August 1, 2007 are granted as the services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.