PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran's reports of stressors are not credible. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and information about changing representation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD, despite its symptoms, does not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 50 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and cerebral hemorrhage. The veteran was not granted any higher disability ratings.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received in May 2003, and the effective date for a grant of service connection is set at May 9, 2003. The issues regarding initial ratings for various disabilities are denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus, his PTSD was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on verified stressors from service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for verification of a claimed stressor and for proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including a VA psychiatric examination for PTSD and a VA audiometric examination for hearing loss. The appellant will also be provided with corrective VCAA notice.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective October 30, 2001. The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and will now be rated at the maximum schedular rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD and the effective date for service connection for left shoulder disability are addressed. The VA examiner found that the veteran's PTSD affected his ability to maintain gainful employment and sustain effective social relationships, with GAF scores ranging from 35 to 60. The left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support an increase in disability level.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits was denied because there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities within one year prior to the filing of his claim. The veteran's substantive appeal was waived due to a delay caused by recent hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms are as likely as not due to his experiences in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and residuals of a nose condition, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that no claim was filed prior to September 24, 1999. The evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, while the claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for cancer of the tongue, to include post-operative residuals is dismissed. The Board has also remanded his claim for PTSD due to insufficient evidence.