PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and declined to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The decision is mixed, as some issues were granted (service connection for PTSD) while others were not (tinnitus).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a mood disorder, claimed as PTSD, and for stomach or digestive conditions. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, no in-service disease or injury, and no link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 6, 2003 for service connection for PTSD is denied.,The veteran's eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is also denied.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent under Diagnostic Code 9411. The other service-connected conditions have also been evaluated and found to not warrant a higher initial rating.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that new and material evidence was not presented. The Board also denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for PTSD is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, supporting a conclusion that the veteran's PTSD is related to her military service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of an allergic response to inservice vaccinations, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was established for PTSD and frostbite residuals of the lower extremities, but the veteran's claims for increased ratings remain pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current service-connected tinea pedis and finds no evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disability involving his head and PTSD, finding that there was no competent evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's PTSD does not cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and stressors in service, as well as to clarify his diagnoses of PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus cannot grant service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since October 13, 2005, and the Board has granted this rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. Further development is necessary, including obtaining unit records and verifying stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) warrants a 70 percent rating, which is higher than the current 50 percent evaluation. The evidence shows significant occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms such as difficulty in maintaining effective relationships with others, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal hygiene, isolative and asocial behaviors, and an inability to establish and maintain effective work relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing medical records and a VA mental disorders examination to determine if the veteran has any current mental disorder related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of verified stressors during his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence and proper notice under VCAA.