PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD is granted and rated at 70 percent since May 7, 1998. Bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder did not occur during his active military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back injury and PTSD have been denied, and the case is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The VA has assigned a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD as of August 13, 2004. The appellant's depression-anxiety with PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran was entitled to a 100% disability evaluation for PTSD as of June 11, 2004, based on evidence showing he had been unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a claim of clear and unmistakable error in the August 1957 decision to discontinue compensation benefits.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his reported in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified, and there is no current diagnosis of PTSD based on his verified combat-related stressors. The objective medical evidence does not show a currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic left foot disorder are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or due to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, low back pain, headaches, and sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure was also denied due to lack of evidence of asbestosis or related disorders. The claim for service connection for residuals of toxic fumes exposure was denied because there is no current diagnosis of a chronic respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is reasonably attributable to his service experiences. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has found the veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The issue of service connection for an undiagnosed illness related to service in Southwest Asia remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and that there was insufficient credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is incurred during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is now rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment since February 1, 2001. The claim to reopen the previously denied service connection for degenerative changes of the spine was also granted.

The veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he had not met the schedular criteria for TDIU at any point prior to his last day of full-time work, January 16, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating effective October 29, 2002. The veteran's other claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of recent treatment records.