PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 8, 1992 for the award of service connection for anxiety reaction with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The earliest possible effective date is based on the date of receipt of the original claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors and thus failing to establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service event.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, which reflects moderate social and occupational impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying stressors and obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, is reasonably attributable to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA has requested additional development due to missing records and the veteran's participation in PTSD treatment sessions. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board is remanding the case due to a need to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's previous denial was based on lack of new and material evidence, but now he seeks to submit such evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, and further development is needed including verification of alleged combat stressors.

The veteran's initial 50 percent rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his claim.

The veteran's private medical expenses incurred from September 21, 2003, through September 26, 2003, are eligible for reimbursement as the services were rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2002 and increased to 50 percent effective from May 9, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressor was not related to combat and there was no credible supporting evidence for the occurrence of the event. Therefore, service connection for PTSD could not be established.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and seizure disorder are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, a right knee disorder, and a tooth disorder. The veteran's current diagnoses are noted but do not establish a link between his military service and these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a valid diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining an OSI report related to in-service personal assault. The VA will conduct further examination and obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric conditions and her service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA outpatient treatment records and a need to obtain an opinion from a VA psychologist regarding whether the veteran has PTSD due to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, an eye disorder, and a back disorder are being addressed.