PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher SMC ratings and an earlier effective date, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher level of care or aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or causation. The rating for residuals of a gunshot wound with neuropathy of left radial and medial nerves was protected by regulation due to its long duration. The veteran's upper and chest arm scars were not found to meet the criteria for compensable evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting an addendum to the August 2004 VA examination. The issues of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU are held in abeyance pending completion of this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, including a lack of specific information about stressful events in Vietnam. The veteran is asked to provide more detailed information and VA will conduct further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant such an evaluation based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for Addison's Disease and PTSD were previously denied, but the claim for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence provided by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further verification of his claimed stressors and a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he has any chronic headaches that are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and back injuries. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence from Social Security Administration records.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher initial disability rating, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed PTSD stressors were uncorroborated. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, asthma, cervical spine disability, and PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow for further evaluation of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent disability evaluation effective July 26, 2004. The appeal is granted.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the veteran's claim of PTSD due to in-service personal assault, and thus denied service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the initial evaluation for PTSD and denied the claim for separate evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence of hypertension or an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability evaluation for PTSD was denied by the Board.

The veteran's PTSD became totally disabling after his claim for an increased evaluation was filed, so the effective date cannot be prior to February 7, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to both feet, respiratory disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus. The veteran's PTSD claim is still pending.