PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence that the veteran's claimed in-service stressor of a sexual assault actually occurred, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have sufficient evidence to support his claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, as there are no verified in-service stressors for PTSD and insufficient medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently manifest PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD with bipolar disorder, effective March 11, 2005. The skin disorder claim is still pending and has not been resolved.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since May 24, 2002 and a total rating has been granted effective September 29, 2003.

The veteran's PTSD and lumbosacral spine disability were granted increased ratings, while his left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for burn scars to the buttocks, PTSD, and a low back disorder due to lack of competent evidence of current disabilities.,There is no current diagnosis of burn scars to the buttocks or PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective July 16, 2001. The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were determined not to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence, including details of his participation in Operation Starlite, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The veteran is diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds it causally related to his military service.

The veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision, thus the case is dismissed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation on the basis of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the July 1971 rating decision, which denied service connection for a nervous disorder. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is now set to May 19, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), duodenal ulcer disease, renal colic, bronchial asthma, and residuals of wounds of the forehead, back and thighs. The diagnoses were not established during or within one year after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, an immunodeficiency syndrome with chronic upper respiratory infections, sinusitis and bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The reasons were that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the veteran's service or radiation exposure.

The veteran's PTSD caused significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, including depression, social isolation, nightmares, hypervigilance, memory loss, and sleep disturbance. The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from April 15, 2003 to October 15, 2003.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that his symptoms are primarily anxiety, depression, nightmares, sleep difficulties, and irritability/anger. His overall functioning is described as no more than moderately impaired.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, with symptoms including suicidal ideation and impaired impulse control. The residuals of prostate cancer have also been rated at 10 percent since April 1, 1997.