PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Crohn's disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The denial is based on a lack of evidence supporting these conditions as being related to military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the effective date for service connection of his right knee condition remains prior to January 31, 2000.

The veteran's claim for separate schedular ratings for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum rating of 10 percent has been assigned. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and needs to be remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for drug and alcohol disabilities and an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from December 13, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims must be remanded for further action, including a VA examination to determine his psychiatric condition and verify any stressors. The veteran is also asked to provide additional information about his service stressors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, shell fragment wound of the left lower extremity with residuals of fracture of left fifth metatarsal, and shell fragment wound scar of the anterior aspect of the left lower extremity are being remanded to allow further action.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim for PTSD was denied due to insufficient corroborated stressor events, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss did not result from service-connected conditions.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective September 27, 2004. The veteran's symptoms include sleep disturbance, anxiety, nervousness, nightmares, hypervigilance, hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and panic attacks.

The veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision on the merits of his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating of 50 percent for his PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that his condition primarily results in depression, anger, irritability, paranoia, anxiety, sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, social isolation with a strong preference to be alone, an exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance and restricted affect, all resulting in moderate but not severe social and occupational impairment.

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

The Board found that the veteran's death was due to his own misconduct, specifically alcohol abuse. Therefore, service connection for cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were denied.

The veteran's PTSD has not been found to warrant a higher initial rating.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the symptoms described.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. His TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence within one year prior to February 9, 2004 showing the veteran to be unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The veteran is granted a rating of 100 percent for PTSD prior to May 12, 1998 and since April 30, 1996. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current, competent diagnosis of PTSD and there is no verified stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran engaged in combat and experienced a stressor related to his Vietnam service. Service connection was denied for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right leg and knee.