PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder were granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective July 26, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a combat-related stressor and insufficient corroborating evidence for non-combat stressors.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and there is no evidence linking any such condition to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than April 19, 2002 for the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is not established. The veteran's claim was received after one year from his separation from active duty and thus cannot be granted an effective date based on the day following separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is related to her in-service sexual assault, and thus granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for residuals of a blood-borne infection (claimed initially as jungle fever). The veteran's claim for higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the October 1994 rating decision that denied an increase in a 30 percent rating for PTSD with major depression. The veteran's inability to work was attributed to non-service-connected conditions, such as left-sided paralysis.

The VA determined that the appellant does not currently have PTSD and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia or PTSD, thus denying the reopening of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent, but not more, based on his symptoms including flattened affect, panic attacks, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent, as he did not exhibit all the symptoms required for such a rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as her PTSD was not incurred in or as a result of active military service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the veteran's current schizoaffective disorder and PTSD are of service origin, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is due to his reported in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU based on the schedular criteria. The veteran is not eligible for a TDIU under the schedular standards due to his service-connected PTSD, which does not meet the required percentage ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by neck stiffness and soreness, claimed as an undiagnosed illness, was withdrawn by the veteran.

The veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the payment of additional compensation benefits on account of his child due to a lack of evidence showing he submitted the appropriate form in 1989.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board determined that the veteran does not have PTSD as a result of his service in the military, including any combat he may have experienced.