PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's depression with anxiety and PTSD were not found to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to August 13, 2004. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the evidence did not show that he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 13, 2004.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to February 19, 1998 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease is not warranted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of VA outpatient records and for a current psychiatric evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claim, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran is also asked to provide details about his alleged PTSD stressors and for JSRRC to verify these stressors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied in August 2001. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. His other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The VA has granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective October 20, 2004. Prior to that date, the veteran was rated at 50%. The increased rating is based on worsening symptoms of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for PTSD and right knee disorder, but further development is needed to obtain recent medical records from VA facilities. The veteran should be asked to provide more detailed statements of his stressors related to PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of competent medical evidence linking her current mental health issues to any incident in service. The claims for asthma and microadenoma of the pituitary are pending as VA examinations are required.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder (claimed as secondary to the left ankle disorder), and PTSD are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and needs further investigation into the veteran's claimed stressors in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, renal insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision also denied the reopening of a claim for a psychiatric condition other than PTSD.

The veteran is seeking an effective date prior to October 11, 2002 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports a denial of this claim as the earliest possible effective date is October 11, 2002.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective January 15, 2004, based on the veteran's occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors, and thus concluded that the preponderance of evidence is against the appellant's claim.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating, as there was no evidence of increased disability within one year prior to his March 3, 2003 claim.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for PTSD, but dismissed the claim for diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors are not supported by credible supporting evidence and therefore, service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder cannot be established.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of claim. The veteran's right wrist fracture is rated at 10 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD, rated at 50 percent prior to November 8, 2001, does not warrant a higher rating based on the symptoms and impairment described.