PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for vertigo, and service connection for PTSD. The veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable under VA regulations. Service connection for vertigo and PTSD were also not granted due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating effective October 12, 2000. The veteran's PTSD was manifested by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, depression, impaired impulse control, and impaired judgment.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 6, 2000 for the veteran's 100% rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation at the (s) rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder disorder, asbestosis, and a lung disease (other than asbestosis), as well as PTSD. The evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected PTSD, left shoulder disability, and TDIU. The RO granted a 40 percent rating for the left shoulder disability effective July 28, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The RO again denied the claim in a March 2005 supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The veteran's PTSD from August 4, 1995 to August 18, 1998 was rated at 30 percent. From August 19, 1998 onwards, the rating increased to 50 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his increased disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD and for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound. The veteran is not considered to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person, nor substantially confined to his dwelling due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA examiner found no PTSD but diagnosed dysthymic disorder partly due to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The VA has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the veteran's PTSD, effective March 31, 2001. The appeal is not about service connection but rather about adjusting the existing rating.

The Board found no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which meets the schedular criteria for a higher rating. The need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of polysubstance abuse with psychosis. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability and granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that new evidence supports a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.