PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of evidence supporting the occurrence of an in-service stressor and because the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The veteran's claim for service connection of diabetic retinopathy was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed PTSD and hepatitis C did not originate in service, and denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, residuals of a lumbar spine injury, and PTSD. The reasons provided were that there was no combat duty and the alleged in-service stressors have not been corroborated by official records or any other supportive evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional thoughts of suicide, moderate to severe anxiety and depression, significant impairment in social interaction, employment, practical judgment, attention, concentration, verbal reasoning, and insight. The Board has determined that the criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD have been met.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosed PTSD related to an in-service stressor and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and no new or material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for a left ankle disability. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and therefore denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to November 8, 2005 and did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent beginning November 8, 2005.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have been severe and prevented substantially gainful employment since May 1989, warranting a 100 percent evaluation retroactive to that date.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no credible supporting evidence for his claimed in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the development of evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 30, 2000 for a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD. The appeal is denied before this date.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of no more than occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The criteria for entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD have not been met.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a disability rating of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD, as his symptoms meet the criteria for such an evaluation.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The additional evidence, including VA medical records, personal lay statements, and service personnel records, supports her claim of having PTSD related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a result of combat-related stressors experienced during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore service connection for such condition is denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the November 1, 1989 decision denying a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.