PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder and his period of active service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 18, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a 70 percent rating. The TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to incomplete development of stressor claims and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD or a mental disorder related to service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of respiratory cancer as secondary to herbicide exposure are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify the claimed in-service stressor and obtain a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence. The Veteran's psychiatric disability other than PTSD is also addressed, but a remand is required for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The claim was previously denied in May 1995 due to lack of evidence linking any current disability to military service.

The Board found that the appellant's active military service from September 1, 2000 to August 31, 2007 does not constitute one entire period of service but rather several distinct periods. Therefore, his character of discharge is considered dishonorable and bars him from receiving VA benefits for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence supports a higher 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for establishing service connection in any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the inability to locate him and obtain necessary information. The VA will attempt to contact the Veteran at his last known address and request any non-VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for arthritis, left hand, and glaucoma. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, remains on appeal.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of credible evidence corroborating his alleged inservice stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim is therefore granted.