PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on a verified stressor during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sciatica, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor supporting a diagnosis of PTSD, and also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support service connection for sciatica or hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 16, 2005. The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating in excess of the assigned percentage.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his PTSD if the stressor(s) are verified.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain verification of in-service stressors and to schedule a VA examination for an assessment of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and granted service connection for PTSD, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to December 14, 1999 under the current criteria. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The claim was remanded due to the inability to verify in-service stressors and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical development, including a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU has been denied.

The Board found that the reduction of the appellant's PTSD evaluation from 70 percent to 50 percent was procedurally correct and that there was an improvement in his condition warranting a reduction. The appellant is therefore denied restoration of the 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically combat experiences in Korea. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury. However, further development is needed to determine if his current disability is related to military service and to verify his claimed stressors for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's fatal cardiopulmonary arrest and congestive heart failure were not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from November 7, 1996 forward and granted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD, and ulcers as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has raised questions about the exact nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from service records, as well as any relevant private medical records. A VA psychiatric examination will also be conducted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.