PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for sinusitis, residuals of finger fractures, or GERD with hepatitis B. Service connection was also not established for swollen and painful joints, pain and pressure in the chest, jaundice with allergic hepatitis from reaction to TB serum, cyst of left ear, eye condition, back pain, hip pain, residuals of a laceration to the left palm, headaches, or left ear condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, including obtaining verification of his claimed stressor and any missing service medical records.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for PTSD. The issue of service connection for hypertension was not addressed due to the dismissal.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal was remanded due to a lack of verification of alleged stressors, and further development involving the U.S. Armed Services Center for Unit Records and Research (CURR) is required.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the alleged stressors in service or a link between current psychiatric conditions and service. For the hearing loss claim, the Board also noted that there is no medical evidence showing the veteran's current hearing impairment met the threshold criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the thoracic spine, loss of feeling in the fourth and fifth digits of the left hand, tingling of the arms and legs, and a stomach disorder (GERD). Service connection for PTSD was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence, which did not show a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a retroactive effective date for his low back disorder. The veteran is entitled to a 60 percent rating for his low back disorder, but not earlier than March 12, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Type II diabetes mellitus, both presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is found to be the result of an in-service stressor.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have PTSD due to a disease or injury incurred in service, as there is no competent medical evidence showing he currently has a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective October 28, 2001. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of his application to reopen the claim in October 1999.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding his claim of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a conclusion that the veteran's PTSD was related to in-service stressors, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the current medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no independently verifiable in-service stressor and thus denying his claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination.