PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board denied claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for PTSD, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new evidence supports reopening the claim. However, due to lack of credible supporting evidence of a combat stressor, the claim cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, frostbite residuals, defective hearing, and tinnitus, render him unable to work due to his mental health condition and physical impairments. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development, including obtaining evidence from alternative sources such as law enforcement or mental health centers.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the veteran's PTSD claim and remanded the case to allow for secondary service connection for hypertension.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to an unverified in-service stressor.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum available rating. The other claims for increased ratings are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the August 1989 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus denied reopening of the claim.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in serious social and occupational impairment, including visual and audio hallucinations. The VA determined that a 50 percent rating was appropriate since March 1, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. The initial 30 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more recent psychological examination to assess his PTSD.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Goldman and the VA Southern Nevada HCS, confirming the veteran's alleged stressors, and scheduling a VA mental examination to determine whether he currently has PTSD and its etiology.

The veteran's appeal is denied for the issues of service connection for various conditions, with no new evidence provided to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his experiences in service are directly related to his current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, and this claim is granted.

The VA has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's PTSD, which is currently evaluated as such.