PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the September 1983 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for PTSD due to an incorrect assessment of Dr. M.'s competence, leading to a reversal of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension with coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor. The veteran's claims were not supported by credible supporting evidence.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's irritable bowel syndrome with reflux disease warrants a 0 percent rating prior to June 20, 2007 and a 30 percent rating from June 20, 2007. The appellant's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual employability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of combat involvement and insufficient credible supporting evidence to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request from the veteran's attorney for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not yet decided on the merits of service connection.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD effective from May 12, 2004. Other issues on appeal were not addressed due to the grant of increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim of residuals of frostbite. The veteran's claims were based on his reported experiences in service, but he failed to provide credible supporting evidence.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in nearly total occupational and social impairment since the effective date of service connection, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The RO denied service connection for a GI disorder and PTSD in October 2002. New evidence received since then supports the reopening of these claims, but does not establish a direct link to service.,Evidence supporting the reopening includes VA treatment records noting psychiatric complaints and a history of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left knee and upper leg are currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local RO via video teleconference. The issues include seeking an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and secondary service connection for cholecysectomy and gingivitis/periodontal disease.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability due to incomplete information, including lack of verification of in-service stressors and need for additional medical opinions.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea were both denied. The VA found that the PTSD warranted a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum under current criteria, and there was no evidence of secondary sleep apnea.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD and his request for an effective date prior to October 30, 2002, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and thus failing to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is causally related to his reported military stressors during service in Guam, and granted service connection for PTSD. The rating for residuals of a right thumb abscess remains unchanged at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia (including as secondary to service-connected Raynaud's disease), and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors.