PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board is unable to grant the requested increases or establish service connection due to a lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that a chronic low back disability did not have its onset during the veteran's period of honorable active duty and denied service connection for this condition. The claim to reopen her previously denied PTSD claim was granted, but she failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate her claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, which is related to an in-service stressor involving an ammunition dump explosion. The claim is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for the tinnitus rating are denied. The RO confirmed a non-compensable (0%) rating for right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional consideration of the submitted evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is warranted for the period starting January 8, 2001.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is warranted from August 28, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a cardiac disability, as well as his claim for disability benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various medical conditions including MRSA sepsis, L2-3 epidural abscess/discitis, right elbow bursitis, right eye blindness, abscess pockets in the pelvis, cardiac problems, weakness and numbness of lower legs/right side of body, tumor of right chest/breast bone, and tumor of left buttock/tailbone. The Board also denied his claims for TDIU, SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A), and SMP based on being housebound.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with recurrent depression and a TDIU during the period from April 17, 2002 to April 17, 2003. The evidence showed moderate social and occupational impairment due to PTSD but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD, service connection for hypertension, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder and arm disorders, as well as right leg and hip disorders resulting from VA medical procedures, were all denied due to lack of evidence or failure to report for examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors occurred during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU, finding that his PTSD alone did not warrant a higher disability evaluation or preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors, and the veteran did not provide sufficient details to enable VA to pursue verification.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder does not prevent him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to inadequate notice regarding alternative sources of information to verify the occurrence of his claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.