PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of his reported in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA social and industrial survey, neurological, and psychiatric examinations to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 1, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel and medical records, clarifying any SSA disability benefits claims, and requesting private treatment records. The veteran's stressors during service will also be verified.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and proper notice under VCAA.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that the claims were not filed until February 5, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying combat service and stressors. The veteran is advised to provide any additional information regarding his claimed stressors.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. The effective date for the 40% evaluation of diabetes mellitus was set at October 31, 2001.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for residuals of head injury and PTSD, as well as the increased ratings for bilateral flat feet and hearing loss disability. The veteran's claim for service connection was reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran's account of exposure to enemy attack, including as the cause of injury to a service buddy in March 1963, is corroborated by reports from INSCOM. There is also competent and uncontradicted medical evidence confirming a diagnosis of PTSD related to stressful in-service events. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the veteran with proper VCAA notice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased disability rating for PTSD. The veteran was not provided with adequate notice regarding effective dates, which is a separate issue from the merits of his claims.

The Board has determined that there is no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of enemy hostilities encountered by the veteran's units in Vietnam and seeking treatment records from VA facilities. The veteran will also be scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD stemming from an in-service stressor or any other chronic psychiatric disorder related to his period of military service. Additionally, the RO/AMC should obtain all records of the veteran's treatment for chronic prostatitis from the Palo Alto VA medical center and arrange for him to be examined by a VA examiner to determine the severity of his chronic prostatitis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and PTSD have been denied as there is no medical evidence showing the presence of these conditions, and her statements are not considered competent evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for coarctation of aorta with hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The veteran's retained surgical needle in chest is currently evaluated as noncompensable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bronchial asthma, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.