PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service and did not provide sufficient evidence to verify any in-service stressors. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA psychiatrist's opinion regarding the occurrence of in-service personal assaults.

The veteran's PTSD and depressive reaction with anxiety have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 19, 2002. The VA has granted a 100% evaluation for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for thyroid disorder, stomach condition, drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to PTSD, and TDIU were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA psychiatric examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his PTSD treatment records and re-adjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD, finding that the original claim was received on March 15, 1999, which is beyond one year after his separation from active duty. The veteran had not submitted a claim prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than July 26, 1994, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD requires additional development to ensure compliance with the notice and duty-to-assist provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety attacks is incurred in active service, supported by credible evidence of a stressor related to his reported experiences during Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor does he qualify for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, a compensable rating for multiple SFW scars, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Akron City Hospital and Akron Blood Bank, VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, and U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to verify stressor events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors, including failure to verify stressors and obtain treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder and service connection for a low back disorder. The veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his PTSD, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for his low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for this condition. The evidence does not support an increase in the disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the veteran with an opportunity to provide detailed information regarding his service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or depressive disorder linked to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to new and material evidence. However, additional development is required as stressor verification is needed from JSRRC and SSA records are requested.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence and a need for an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.