PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and associated medical records.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 4, 2002, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflected his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which he claims is related to witnessing stabbings and a car accident during his military service. The VA has been instructed to attempt to obtain the veteran's private treatment records and verify any stressors that occurred during his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, numbness of the hands and feet, blurred vision, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, which is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on verified stressors, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VCAA compliance.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected panic disorder, with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder, with a history of PTSD. The disability is characterized by symptoms such as nervousness, panic attacks, anxiety, memory loss, and irritability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of records regarding vocational rehabilitation training from January 1994 to April 1995. The veteran is asked to provide information on where he received this training, including through VA or outside sources.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and concluded that PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with a reported stressor that occurred during his period of active military service, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the increase in disability due to hypertension is considered as aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain the appellant's VA medical records since April 2002 and to arrange for a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after these actions are completed.