PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in May 2002. The Court vacated this decision and remanded the case back to the Board, which granted service connection in August 2004 with a 30% evaluation effective July 30, 1993. The Veteran's attorney was awarded fees based on this grant. In January 2007, the Court remanded the case again and the Board subsequently increased the rating to 50% from July 30, 1993 until December 1, 2004, and to 100% thereafter. The claim for attorney fees is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of his PTSD. Additionally, all outstanding VA clinical records dated since October 2001 are requested.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling from August 27, 1999 to April 5, 2006 and increased to 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including verifying stressors and determining if there is a nexus between any verified in-service stressor(s) and the current symptomatology of the PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD, TDIU benefits, and DEA benefits was denied as the decision was final due to lack of appeal. The Board found that the December 2003 rating action was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder that was incurred in service. The Veteran's symptoms began after discharge, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal regarding total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a clinical assessment of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and set the effective date as June 7, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be service-connected due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event, and the psychiatric disorder was not documented during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, was denied.

The Veteran's pre-existing PTSD was not aggravated by his service in Vietnam, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD attributable to a confirmed stressor in service and denied his claim for service connection.