PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from PTSD related to documented, verified, or presumed stressors during his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is associated with his military service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for lung cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder as the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and found that there was no indication of PTSD in his medical records. The veteran did not engage in combat, which is a requirement for establishing an in-service stressor for PTSD. As such, the claim was denied.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for both the PTSD and residuals of ruptured eardrums claims, including providing notice under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) regarding personal assault allegations for PTSD, obtaining VA outpatient treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if current ear disorders are related to military service, and readjudicating the issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service and whether the veteran was exposed to in-service stressors that could lead to PTSD. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether PTSD is present and because there is no evidence of in-service stressors. The veteran will be provided a VA examination and his claim for service connection for PTSD will be readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no legal basis to award such a date.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination records and treatment information.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and thus whether he should be granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, flashbacks, and mild memory loss. These symptoms reflect no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and arthritis of the knees, finding no current diagnosis for PTSD and noting that there is no competent evidence linking arthritis to service or scarlet fever.

Since the July 30, 2003 effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD, the veteran's symptoms have been manifested by chronic insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, nervousness, persistent anger and irritability, decreased concentration, hypervigilance, isolation, abnormal abstract thinking, and persistent delusions. These symptoms reflect occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but do not meet the criteria for a 70% rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining all relevant medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as bilateral heel pain comparable with Achilles tendinitis, did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total social and industrial impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant occupational and social impairment, but does not result in total occupational and social impairment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation are met.