PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective September 24, 2003. The claim for a separate schedular 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear is denied as there is no legal basis for such a rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA PTSD examination and obtaining records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and asthmatic bronchitis contributed to his death from congestive heart failure (CHF). The Board finds that the medical evidence supports this conclusion, thus granting the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has found the evidence sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD. The veteran's eczematous dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have been severe and prevented substantially gainful employment since February 1, 1992. The Board has granted a 100 percent schedular evaluation for PTSD retroactive to this date.

The Board found that the appellant has been diagnosed with PTSD but there is no credible evidence of combat involvement or a verified in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied because the initial denial in April 1988 was final and not reopened until November 1995 with new and material evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to February 23, 2005 and increased to 100 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified stressor and thus no basis to grant the claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his active military service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his right ankle disability and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless as to require such assistance.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and carcinoma of the hard palate due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The veteran's claim for PTSD was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or herbicide exposure. Service connection for carcinoma of the hard palate was also denied because it does not fall under any presumptive conditions based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for post-operative hallux valgus.

The veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is determined to be the result of events during his active military service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for headaches, as well as entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The veteran's military records do not indicate he engaged in combat with an enemy, so his claimed stressors must be corroborated by other evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such a determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent, effective from May 14, 2002.