PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the veteran's claimed stressors. The veteran must provide more details about his alleged stressors, including dates and places of events, detailed descriptions of the events, his service units, duty assignments, and names of individuals involved.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a confirmed in-service stressor and concluded that the veteran's PTSD does not exist. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran is appealing for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that further action by the RO is necessary to verify any prior medical treatment and obtain records from a private provider.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and an addendum to the August 2003 VA examination report. The TDIU claim will also be reviewed based on new evidence.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of PTSD and service connection for throat cancer resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation are remanded due to the need for further development, including medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, effective January 2000.

The Board found no credible evidence to corroborate the appellant's claimed sexual assault during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The VA has increased the veteran's rating for PTSD from 30 percent to 50 percent, effective May 2003. The current rating of 50 percent is considered appropriate based on the symptoms described.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include a delusional disorder. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms from April 1, 1998 to September 25, 2002 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. A rating of 70 percent was granted for this period.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective August 31, 2005.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and fibromyalgia was granted, with a rating of 50 percent prior to October 4, 2002, and 70 percent thereafter. The effective date for the TDIU award is set at October 4, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors and obtain medical records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also granted increased ratings for major depression, IBS, and prostatitis.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral otitis externa and PTSD, finding that the veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, stomach disability, and neuropsychiatric disability (including PTSD). The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the veteran's right thigh disability, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10% for his right thigh scar. The issues of service connection for PTSD and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and records, including verification of a stressor incident and treatment records for PTSD.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to November 6, 1997 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.