PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and her stressors were not verified. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for PTSD needs further development due to unverified in-service stressors.

The evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the probative medical evidence of record supports a finding that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by sleep difficulty, flashbacks, hypervigilance, irritability and low frustration tolerance, avoidance of crowds, anxiety, and social isolation resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that giving the veteran the benefit of the doubt, the schedular criteria for a 50 rating, but no more, for PTSD have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of receipt of his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from April 15, 2003 to June 2, 2004. Effective June 11, 2004, the rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has granted a TDIU award due to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including higher evaluations for PTSD and DM, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for congestive heart failure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's in-service stressors and for further examination if combat participation is confirmed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for PTSD and headaches, both of which were previously denied. The decision remains in favor of denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and therefore denies an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there was no credible supporting evidence of his claimed in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD could not be granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying treatment history. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and medical records.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2001. The effective date for service connection of fibromyalgia has been set to January 17, 2003. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned for each condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, COPD, and recurrent kidney infections due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appellant's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, but there is no credible supporting evidence that any inservice stressor occurred. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board is considering service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder, but needs additional evidence to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to combat situations.

The Board found that the veteran's current PTSD with depression is not due to a verified in-service stressor and denied service connection for this condition.