PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor linked to PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's reported stressors during his service in the Republic of Vietnam have been verified and a diagnosis of PTSD is supported by medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not caused by his military service.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective March 29, 2001. The veteran's symptoms include nightmares, sleep disturbance, irritability, and social isolation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of one or more extremities due to her service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied both issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to esophageal carcinoma and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the veteran's alcoholism or PTSD to his cancer.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability. For PTSD, the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from October 9, 1992, through March 24, 2005.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD, effective December 31, 2002. The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 26, 1995 for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD based on the veteran's symptoms and disability from that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of combat exposure are corroborated by credible supporting evidence, and PTSD was incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his service and that any psychiatric disorder is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU has also been denied as there is no evidence showing he is unemployable.

The Board granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD and assigned an effective date of February 18, 1997. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 60 percent in combination, but do not render him individually unemployable.

The Board found that the veteran was not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD, as he could dress himself, take care of his basic needs, and attend to his wants without assistance. The appellant's contention that he required constant care was not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia and major depression, is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis or other conditions claimed, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these issues. The claims are denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no prior pending claim or informal claim before December 16, 1992.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current symptoms are related to his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and remands the case for further development, including a VA examination if verified stressors are found.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus his lay testimony alone was insufficient to establish the occurrence of the alleged stressors. The evidence does not support a finding that PTSD is related to service.