PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, as his June 1986 denial was final and binding on him based on the evidence then of record. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a cervical spine disability, to include radiculopathy into the left upper extremity. The issues are not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or any other specific environmental exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including reviewing all evidence of record and addressing any new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's period of residence at COPIN House from May 13 to September 9 in 1989 does not constitute hospital treatment at an approved hospital for VA purposes, and thus, he is denied a temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an initial evaluation beyond 40 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome. The issue of service connection for PTSD is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including obtaining records of any racial incidents and personal assault stressors from Westover Air Force Base, as well as a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD disability is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood. The Board has determined that the schedular criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD are met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed stressor, witnessing fellow sailors being murdered while he stood helplessly on his vessel, is insufficiently definite to submit for research by the U.S. Army Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC). The RO will request JSRRC to conduct research of the ship logs and other documents of the USS Sterlet and USS Ranger to determine if any of the crew was killed at or near where the vessels were moored during a specific time period. If confirmed, an appropriate psychiatric examination will be arranged for the veteran to determine whether he currently suffers from PTSD as a result of the verified stressor.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria for PTSD. The Board has found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his PTSD and hepatitis C.

The VA has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, reflecting the veteran's occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation and obsessional rituals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is indicative of total social and occupational impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a maximum disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his service records do not indicate any combat-related injuries. The objective medical evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his period of active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal, psychiatric (including PTSD), foot, and mouth disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, reflecting the veteran's symptoms of intrusive memories and flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and hyperarousal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further investigation and examination regarding the veteran's PTSD claim due to unverified stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and a sleep disorder, as well as an increased rating for chloracne with folliculitis. The veteran's claim for PTSD was not addressed due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the claims.