PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.

The Board found that the appellant's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. The claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disability did not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to experiences during active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, the highest available under the schedular criteria, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the period February 22, 2001 through July 8, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed substantially to by any service-connected disability, and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including verification of stressors and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was productive of severe impairment, warranting a 70% evaluation from June 20, 2002 to February 25, 2006. Since February 23, 2006, his condition is so severely disabling that he is unemployable and warrants an initial 100% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current PTSD diagnosis is in equipoise with his service stressors, and thus granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and a rating for depressive disorder, dysthymia, with PTSD, as well as TDIU. The effective date for these benefits was set at April 23, 1993.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, due to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, monthly panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, memory problems, and limited judgment. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence without a waiver, and because both issues must be considered together as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of service periods and need for additional examination.

The veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including verification of stressors and audiometric examinations. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service due to lack of corroborating evidence for stressors and no combat involvement.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional information regarding stressors.