PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his current psychiatric disorders are related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability may also include PTSD due to personal assault. The case is being remanded for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as there is a current diagnosis and a link to an in-service stressor.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent disability rating from February 12, 2004 onwards. Prior to this date, his condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 9, 1999 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and the Board must dismiss this matter.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 20, 2002. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the date of receipt of his service connection claim, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is a result of an in-service stressor, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, finding no evidence of an in-service stressor or exposure to Agent Orange that would support these claims.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 24, 1998 through September 25, 2003. The claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating is denied.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective from March 5, 2002. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD met the criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an increased disability evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD, effective January 23, 2004. The veteran's symptoms include labile affect, nightmares, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, cognitive impairments in memory, impaired judgment and impulse control resulting in physical episodes, disturbances of motivation and mood resulting in a state of agitated depression, suicidal ideation, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and conflicting evidence about his exposure to combat noise during service. A new examination is needed to address these matters.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, which is the maximum schedular rating available.