PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of his previously denied claim.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% due to moderate impairment, but service connection for throat disorder as a result of exposure to herbicides is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and rating for PTSD, chest injury residuals, and TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective from December 16, 2003. The veteran's appeal for higher ratings prior to this date is dismissed.

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

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of a personal assault in service and concluding that any current PTSD is not related to service.

The RO denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 22, 1991 for a 100% rating for PTSD. The veteran had previously filed claims for increased ratings and was granted a temporary 100% rating in July-December 1992 due to hospitalization at Coatesville VA Medical Center.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective February 2, 1999.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from April 4, 2001 and the appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and low back disorder, as well as denied the claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The veteran's claimed stressors are not verifiable due to inconsistencies in his stories.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 27, 2001, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to a scheduling issue.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on appeal are denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and PTSD due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess his PTSD. The examiner is also requested to determine if the veteran's pre-existing headache disorder was aggravated or permanently worsened during his period of service.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in definite social and industrial impairment prior to December 23, 1997, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his service, including a verified stressor from Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and his alcoholism is not service-connected. The claim for both conditions was denied.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.