PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is associated with an in-service stressor that has been corroborated by credible supporting evidence, and the Board finds service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of unit records to determine if the appellant's alleged stressors occurred during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The right ankle disorder claim is reopened, and the Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 28, 2005 and increased to 70 percent effective February 26, 2009. The appeal is for an evaluation in excess of the assigned ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including witnessing a fellow serviceman being caught in aircraft blades and experiencing sexual assault, were not verified. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD as a result of these events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 28, 2003 for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD. The Board found that no increase in PTSD symptomatology prior to February 28, 2003 warranted such a rating.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service. The case will be remanded for further examination and review of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD stressors have not been corroborated, and thus his claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to incomplete evidence and procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to combat and non-combat stressors. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD likely contributed to his subsequent heart attacks and strokes, which were significant factors in his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, disorders of the knees, ankles, and feet. The claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD is also considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, including verifying alleged in-service stressors and obtaining a VA mental health examination.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including providing notice as required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and addressing a claim of clear and unmistakable error in a December 1996 rating decision. The DIC issue will be adjudicated after resolving these matters.

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

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a 'serious employment handicap' and is therefore not entitled to additional training and related services under Chapter 31, except for employment services.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her sexual harassment and assault during active duty service, thus granting her claim for service connection.