PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The effective date remains February 23, 2004.

The veteran's PTSD has been manifested primarily by symptoms including sleep disturbance, nightmares, anxiety, irritability, flashbacks, and job difficulties. These symptoms demonstrate occupational and social impairment with no more than occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and he was hospitalized for treatment of his service-connected PTSD from April 5 to May 19, 2005. The VA has granted a temporary total disability rating due to the hospitalization.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD results in no more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding whether the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, specifically a verified inservice personal assault. Additional medical records and testing are needed for an accurate determination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of combat participation and thus could not verify the claimed stressors. The Board concluded that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diverticulitis, and a prostate condition due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service, nor was there evidence linking the current conditions to active military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma, postoperative residuals of removal of a lipoma from the left temporal area, and PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for in-service stressors. The Board found no link between current disabilities and active military service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining award orders for his Bronze Star Medal.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD and also denied his claim for service connection for a skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that the veteran did not provide proper written consent for withdrawing his appeals, leading to the April 1994 rating decision remaining open.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, attributable to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from March 15, 2000 to October 31, 2002 was granted.

The Board denied service connection for right hip disability and PTSD, as well as increased evaluations for migraine headaches, lumbosacral strain, chondromalacia of the knees, and residuals of left ankle sprain. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-service combat or verified stressors leading to PTSD, and the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for PTSD, finding that the criteria were not met. The heart disability was found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran engaged in combat and therefore, his PTSD is service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete diagnoses and lack of verification for PTSD. The veteran needs to provide more details about stressor events, and the service agencies need to verify his combat experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible evidence corroborating her reported in-service sexual assaults.