PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 22, 1996, the date his initial claim was received.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for plantar warts of the right foot is denied. The issues pertaining to PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion of this document.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of his claims, particularly regarding his low back disorder.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 8, 2005. Effective from that date, the rating for PTSD has been increased to 100 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 13, 1999. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. Service connection for hematuria is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or exposure to Agent Orange. The skin disorder claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a psychiatric disability other than PTSD or a low back disability that is related to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. However, additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to further appellate consideration.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which he claims is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional development of his claims, including obtaining pertinent medical records and scheduling a VA examination if requested.

The Board has determined that there is no current medical diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as to address the nature and severity of his PTSD in the context of the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's PTSD is currently assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experience in Vietnam, and he has provided sufficient evidence for the occurrence of his claimed stressors.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2004 VA PTSD examination. A new VA psychiatric examination is needed, and any subsequent treatment records should be obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, back injury, migraine headaches, amnesia, metastatic lesions of the spine, degenerative disc disease, and spina bifida occulta. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased rating for malaria and service connection for PTSD. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and there is no credible supporting evidence that the in-service stressors actually occurred.

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent evaluation from December 3, 1999 to June 1, 2005. Since June 2, 2005, the disability has been manifesting total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.