PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and did not grant TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an increased initial disability rating beyond the currently assigned 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and assigned a 20 percent disability rating for complex partial seizure disorder.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and could not verify his claimed stressors. The VA diagnosed PTSD based on unverified stressor events, which were deemed insufficient to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and his Major Depressive Disorder is not service-connected.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms were only mild and did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 10, 2003 for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding that no increase in his PTSD disability was factually ascertainable prior to this date.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO level.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the schedular criteria. An earlier effective date for a separate disability rating for left sciatic radiculopathy was denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as all other claims were withdrawn and the claim of PTSD was granted in full.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The RO will also attempt to verify the veteran's claimed Vietnam service and stressor event.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran, including a July 2006 psychiatric examination report and conflicting opinions from VA examinations. The claims for service connection for PTSD and low back disability are pending.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD from April 8, 2005. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as depression, nightmares, intrusive thoughts/flashbacks, hypervigilance, intermittent auditory hallucinations, paranoid ideation, suicidal ideation with no intent or plan, memory loss, sleep impairment, anger control problems, and social isolation.

The veteran's wife and their minor child were entitled to an apportionment of the veteran's VA compensation benefits during his incarceration from October [redacted], 2000 to September [redacted], 2002, at least at the rate he would have been paid for two dependents if he were not incarcerated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, stomach cancer, brain abscess, chloracne, PTSD, and chondromalacia of the left patella. The appeal is considered 'unknown' in terms of service connection.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Polysubstance Abuse. The competent evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to his period of service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for service-connected PTSD, which was granted as of August 13, 2004.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The VA has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective July 26, 2002. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.