PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice, additional medical records from Dr. R.C., and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including verifying stressors and evaluating any current mental disorders. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30% for PTSD prior to April 14, 1994. The effective date remains unchanged at October 1991.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for PTSD, but the RO has granted a 70 percent rating effective January 24, 2003. The veteran's TDIU claim is also at issue.

The veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current nature and extent of his disability. His TDIU rating claim also requires an examination that considers all service-connected disabilities in connection with his employment status.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, asthma, and chronic allergic pruritis were denied. The veteran was awarded a combined evaluation of 60 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of stroke, and heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating effective October 31, 2001. The veteran's case was remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection, finding that the veteran was exposed to combat stressors during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of symptoms such as nightmares, insomnia, flashbacks, social withdrawal, depression, and chronic autonomic hyperarousal. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. However, it is not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence to corroborate the veteran's reported in-service stressors. Service connection is also denied for depression and/or bipolar disorder.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and a higher rating of 70 percent is granted from July 15, 2003, to the present.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD as of the last valid examination in November 1999 was manifested by occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent rating. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressor event, and thus concluded that there was no evidence supporting the diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD based on a verified stressor. The claim was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, kidney disorder, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD. The RO must attempt to verify these stressors and schedule a VA PTSD examination if any are verified.

The appellant is seeking earlier effective dates for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, and a higher rating for post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board finds that neither of these claims are warranted.,The veteran's claim for an increase in disability benefits due to post-traumatic stress disorder was denied in December 2001. The appellant is seeking retroactive benefits based on the date her husband filed his original claim, but this request cannot be granted as there is no evidence of increased disability within one year prior to the receipt of the current claim.