PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to unconfirmed stressors and a need for an examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for malaria. The appellant did not meet the criteria for service connection as there is no evidence of a current disability, and his lay testimony alone was insufficient to establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor. For the malaria claim, the VA examination showed no current active malaria or residual damage from malaria, and the private physician's records did not support the appellant's claims.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to significant impairment but no delusions, hallucinations, or gross inappropriate behavior. The GAF score indicates some impairment in reality testing.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of a verified stressor event in service. For his left elbow neurodermatitis, he did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the revised skin disability criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no current disability and insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus as a result of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation. His bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not related to combat and lacked credible corroborating evidence, leading to a denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed stressors could not be verified, and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has rendered him demonstrably unable to retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a 100 percent rating is warranted for his service-connected PTSD.

The VA Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The veteran's original claim of service connection for PTSD was denied in 1982, but he submitted new and material evidence from the U.S. Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records (USASCRUR) to reopen his case. The USASCRUR provided corroboration of his alleged stressors, leading to a grant of service connection with a 100% disability evaluation effective January 25, 1989.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The status of the PTSD claim is unknown.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left eyebrow laceration residual scar warrants a 10 percent rating. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination of his psychiatric condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and the effective date is set at September 14, 1998.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. However, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to verify his claimed in-service stressor and obtain additional VA medical records. The issues of service connection for PTSD, depression, and a stomach condition are also remanded.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to July 28, 2004 and increased to 70 percent effective July 28, 2004.,PTSD is currently manifested by severe social isolation and withdrawal; impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions and hallucinations; a danger of hurting self or others; and memory loss for names of close relatives.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus cannot establish service connection for PTSD based solely on his statements. The case is remanded to obtain evidence corroborating any claimed stressors.