PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

From April 21, 1998 to January 20, 2000, the veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent.,From January 21, 2000 to June 7, 2004, the veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent. Effective from June 8, 2004, the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right ankle fracture, residuals of a burn injury of the left hand, and bilateral foot fungus.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD was 100% disabling as of December 1, 2000 and granted an effective date for a 100% rating from that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and emphysema and pneumonia as a result of exposure to asbestos. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that her symptoms are better explained by a borderline personality disorder rather than PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms and overall disability level.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the surviving spouse is not entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD is May 7, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current skin disability of the head or PTSD with depression that is related to his active service. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the VA examiner concluded that any hair loss was due to male pattern baldness rather than treatment for a skin condition during service.

The VA determined that the service-connected PTSD is manifested by moderate symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts of Vietnam which mildly decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The veteran's death is being considered as a cause of death issue, but DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 remains pending.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. His bilateral hearing loss disability is also rated as non-compensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with VCAA requirements and incomplete development of evidence, particularly regarding PTSD claims based on personal assault.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking current hepatitis C to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for increased ratings for PTSD.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain additional VA and private treatment records from a Vets' Center. The case will be returned for further review after these records are obtained.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD due to combat exposure and denied service connection for allergies and hair loss as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied. As service connection for PTSD has been denied, service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD is also denied.