PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims of increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for PTSD are pending.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule a hearing for the veteran in White River Junction, Vermont. The veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder will be considered.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a VA examination, as well as proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to symptoms of difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting). The Board finds the schedular criteria for assignment of an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD have been met.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to June 30, 2003 and increased to 70 percent effective from June 30, 2003. The appeal is granted for the increase in rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, leaving only the issues of an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted based on credible evidence of in-service stressors and a diagnosis of PTSD.

The VA has granted a disability evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, reflecting severe impairment in the ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish a stressor related to service. As such, the claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a verified stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants an initial 70 percent evaluation, effective July 1, 2003. The preponderance of evidence shows that his condition is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, and mood.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, right wrist disability, and cervical spine disability due to lack of verified in-service stressors and other supporting evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted a 20 percent evaluation for the right knee prior to June 9, 1998. The veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need of aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that she does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from December 3, 2004. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and a compensable rating for eczematoid dermatitis of the lower extremities, finding that the earliest applicable date was October 18, 2001.