PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The record does not support a conclusion that the veteran engaged in combat while on active duty or provided credible supporting evidence to corroborate his report of in-service stressors upon which this diagnosis was based.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD rendered him demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment as of March 28, 1988 and granted an effective date of March 28, 1988 for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and compliance with the Board's October 2004 remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's back condition is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and scars were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service due to lack of corroborating evidence for alleged stressors, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis C was denied. The claim for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need to verify the veteran's claimed combat stressors and consider additional evidence submitted since the last decision.

The veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in March 1999 due to the evidence not corroborating the claimed stressors. The Board dismissed the appeal without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, PTSD, and chronic back and right knee disabilities are all service-connected. The tongue disorder is also considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at an RO in Little Rock, Arkansas. The veteran's claims to reopen service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and hepatitis C will be considered after the hearing.

The VA has denied an increase in the evaluation of the veteran's service-connected PTSD, maintaining a current rating of 50 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that his symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and his service-connected disability did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow such employment due to his PTSD.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including verifying the veteran's receipt of the Bronze Star and contacting the service department.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 1, 2000. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and chloracne due to exposure to herbicide. The decision found that new evidence did not reopen his previously denied claim for hypertension, and that chloracne was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective December 3, 2004. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of this amount.