PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of stressors and a need for further examination by a psychiatrist.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings, service connection for malignant melanoma, testicular enlargement (hydrocele), and respiratory disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure have been denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for eye disability due to VA treatment in 1980 and 1981, and an increased rating for his panic disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and his claims for service connection for a low back disorder, skin rash, chest pain, night sweats, dizziness, shortness of breath, memory loss, nausea and stomach cramps, and headaches are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or the presumptive provisions applicable to veterans of the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and PTSD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted for right ear hearing loss as the claim was previously denied in April 2002.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of the original claim (January 30, 2003), and denied the issue regarding bilateral hearing loss disability.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 2, 2003. From June 2, 2003 to November 7, 2004, the rating was increased to 30 percent. After that date, no higher evaluation is warranted.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD based on new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to combat exposure. The veteran's claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a schedular disability rating of 100 percent, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors could not be verified. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for reopening a bilateral knee disability was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective January 23, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to April 6, 2004 and increased to 70% from that date. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (increased rating) while others remained unchanged.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from December 7, 2000 to December 26, 2004.,Since December 27, 2004, the veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that an effective date of November 27, 1990 for the award of service connection and a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors and the veteran did not engage in combat.

The veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his military service in Vietnam.