PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and his hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, or colitis are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection based on in-service stressors. The claim for sleep apnea remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or etiology.

The Board found that there is no verified in-service stressor and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD.

The veteran's claim of an increased rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the appeal process.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and evaluations of his service-connected scars. The veteran was not granted any compensable ratings based on his service-connected scars.

The Board has determined that a medical examination is necessary to adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board found that the veteran did not have combat duty and his alleged in-service stressors relating to non-combat situations could not be verified. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

From October 28, 1996 to August 7, 2000, the veteran was granted a disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD.,From August 8, 2000 to July 15, 2002, the veteran's disability rating for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.,From July 16, 2002 to March 10, 2003, the veteran received a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.,Effective from March 11, 2003, the veteran's disability rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to military service and has granted his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD before February 23, 2006 and from that date onwards. The VA found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent or 70 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The RO found that the schedular criteria for disability ratings did not meet the requirements under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD disorder is characterized by occupational and social impairment, insomnia, anxiety, depression, motivational and mood problems, emotional numbness, treatment with psychotropic medications with only partial relief, a 'restricted' effect, below average social functioning, and social withdrawal. The GAF scores assigned ranged from 45-50, indicative of serious symptoms of impairment. The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's applications for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance were not received within one year of the initial notification of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus he is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 4, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The issue of Hepatitis C remains pending as it is not on appeal.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing proper VCAA notice.