PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of the evidence and due process development, including a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, at least for the period from December 4, 2007, to January 28, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a stressor during his active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The memory loss and insomnia are also considered as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or chronic disability related to service. However, there is no evidence supporting a separate diagnosis for degenerative joint disease that can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a sleep disorder, joint pain involving the knees and wrists, fatigue, headaches, neuropsychological symptoms, and PTSD. The evidence received since September 2002 does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors, while involving racial tension in Germany, were not corroborated. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established. For his respiratory disorder, there is no evidence of a chronic disease or disability resulting from asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depression or dysthymia, is related to service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and discontinuance of SMC based on loss of use of the right foot. The issues were related to PTSD, spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case was remanded multiple times due to incomplete records and verification of stressors.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and service connection for headaches and a stomach condition were denied. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective February 5, 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and PTSD, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and development of records, including a review of U.S. Armed Services Center for Unit Records Research (CURR) logs.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bronchial asthma, and a left hip disability due to lack of confirmed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on direct evidence of a stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted based on credible testimony of mortar attacks during his time as a security guard in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is requesting entitlement to TDIU. The case has been remanded for further development including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including a shooting incident and finger injury, were not verified. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service, and thus granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 26, 2000 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and/or a 70 percent evaluation for chronic, undifferentiated schizophrenia and PTSD have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also granted with an effective date of January 26, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a mood disorder, and a psychotic disorder, had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and major depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective June 9, 2008.