PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and completion of additional forms.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that it did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30%. The disability is currently rated at 30%.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent effective June 13, 2001. The RO increased the rating from 10 percent to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by two verified stressors, allowing for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 30% evaluation effective February 6, 2002. Since August 9, 2004, the disability has been rated at 100%. The veteran is no longer able to work due to his PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. He will also undergo a new psychiatric examination.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar affective disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, as his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, stomach disorder, degenerative bone disorder/gout, prostate cancer, and eye disorder. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination to assess the severity of his condition and its impact on employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia due to new and material evidence. However, the claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no verified in-service stressor event and no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 26, 2000 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The veteran had previously filed claims for a psychiatric disorder in 1995 and 1997 that were not successful, but did not appeal these decisions. A new claim for PTSD was submitted on May 26, 2000, which became effective as the date of receipt.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and left knee disability due to incomplete development of records, including VA outpatient treatment records from Sumter, South Carolina, and medical records from Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The veteran is also scheduled for a VA orthopedic examination and a VA psychiatric examination if necessary.

The Board has ordered further development of the veteran's claims for PTSD and adenomyosis, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for VA examinations. The case is being remanded to the RO (via AMC) for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board granted an effective date of June 26, 1995 for the assignment of a schedular rating of 100 percent for PTSD and TDIU. The veteran's appeal was denied for earlier effective dates.

The Board's decision on the motion for revision of a June 20, 2006 decision based on clear and unmistakable error is dismissed with prejudice as the Court has vacated and remanded the original decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but finds that he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor involving illegal activities and the intentional death of a co-worker who was placed in a coffin on the veteran's airplane.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and arthritis of the knees, back, and left elbow. The preponderance of the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.