PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records and a new VA mental status evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an eye disorder, and PTSD. The decision found no competent evidence linking current conditions to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of hearing loss and tinnitus, and the Board dismissed these issues. The claims for PTSD and gastrointestinal disability are not supported by evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has decided to remand the case for additional development and review, including verification of the veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal involves disagreements with initial ratings for PTSD, with the RO having granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent rating effective October 4, 2001. The RO also increased the disability rating to 50 percent effective July 10, 2003, but denied higher ratings during the period from October 4, 2001 to July 9, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further development, including verification of stressors and possible VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there was no verified in-service stressor and the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection is not in order and has ordered a remand for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The claim remains denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's pursuit of her vocational goal is not feasible due to her polysubstance dependence and psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service discharge. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's psychiatric disability was at least as likely as not initially manifested during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for wounds to both buttocks. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and that his unverified claims were not sufficient to establish the occurrence of such events.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a chronic nervous disorder, including PTSD. The evidence supports that the veteran participated in combat and experienced stressors related to his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim on the merits due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of PTSD. The issue will be decided based on the merits if it can be reopened.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in July 2000. The appellant submitted new evidence and requested to reopen the claim, which is now being reviewed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right foot/ankle injury, and residuals of a left ankle injury. The claim for skin disorder of the feet is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or thereafter. The claim for eye disorder is also denied due to lack of competent evidence linking the current condition to service.