PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case to attempt to verify specific stressor incidents and determine if they are sufficient for a diagnosis of PTSD. The veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and combat participation, leading to an inability to establish a medical link between current symptoms and any diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of service connection (May 1, 2002), based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to be productive of a disability picture that more closely approximates that manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, warranting an increased rating of 70 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU rating is denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of award for PTSD is denied as the RO assigned September 17, 1997 as the effective date in June 1998. The Board finds that no NOD was filed within one year of this decision.,The veteran's claim for a 100% evaluation for PTSD prior to May 31, 2002 is granted based on his employment being forced to discontinue due to the disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence regarding her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's relocation, and a new hearing will be scheduled at the Phoenix RO.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from February 9, 2001. The veteran also meets criteria for TDIU due to his PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased evaluation for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that tinnitus was incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and the criteria for a higher rating were not met for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for additional development, including verification of claimed stressors and a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD, manifested by chronic sleep impairment and hypervigilence, warranted a 10 percent initial rating from July 27, 2004 to July 18, 2006.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The veteran's initial rating for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied, and the case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50% disability rating, effective from March 31, 2004.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and flat feet, as well as his claim for TDIU, were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying stressors and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence to verify his reported stressors. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The veteran is granted an effective date of January 23, 2002 for the award of service connection for PTSD.