PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD with Panic/Anxiety Disorder warrants a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board finds that the appellant does not currently have PTSD and there is no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disorder. The appellant's current psychiatric condition, if present, is attributed to his personality disorder which pre-existed service.

The veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for undifferentiated schizophrenia, TDIU prior to that date, and increased ratings for hiatal hernia and hepatitis were denied. The veteran also appealed service connection for PTSD and tinnitus but no SOC was issued.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia, and a chronic low back disability were denied as there is no objective evidence of current diagnoses or clinical nexus to his military service.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than February 11, 1998 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and are REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a left leg gunshot wound, malaria, arthritis, gout, tuberculosis, malnutrition, an ear disorder, and an eye disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the present case, including verifying whether a reported stressor occurred while the veteran was attached to the 595th Engineering Company during service in Vietnam. The claim for PTSD will be remanded for further action.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice under the Veterans' Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Polysubstance Abuse is denied as a matter of law due to the provisions in place prohibiting compensation for disabilities resulting from alcohol or drug abuse.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms result in significant impairment, including depression affecting the ability to function independently and effectively. The Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in September 1998. The veteran's claim is now considered on its merits.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bursitis/degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, dental disability, PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, coronary artery disease, and lumbar degenerative disc disease, were denied. The conditions are not considered to be related to military service.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify the veteran's reported in-service stressors and obtain any relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty. The bipolar disorder was diagnosed many years after service and not linked to any incident of service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for PTSD, finding that the current level of disability does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and TDIU, finding that no prior claim was submitted before April 4, 1995.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100% evaluation for PTSD. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information from SSA regarding any disability benefits claims filed by the veteran prior to April 25, 1990.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher initial disability rating beyond the current 50 percent assigned since service connection was established.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD or schizophrenia attributable to his active service and denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD. The cause of death, suicide, was determined to be unrelated to any service-connected disability.