PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The veteran's claims for these conditions are supported by medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to in-service stressors and noise exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Lichen simplex chronicus of the scrotal area, residuals of right shoulder injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any inservice incidents.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by severe symptoms including suicidal and homicidal thoughts, leading to a permanent disability rating of 50% effective July 21, 2004.

The veteran's cervical spine and headaches disorders were not incurred during service.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's Multiple Sclerosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The PTSD claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent since May 13, 2004.

The veteran's appeal was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, and his claims of service connection for heart disability and hypertension were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying in-service burns and PTSD stressor allegations, scheduling VA examinations, and further review of the claim.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for PTSD, increased disability rating for left ulnar nerve damage, and increased disability rating for other impairment of the left humerus have not progressed as the appellant is deceased.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety with Depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with VA regulations and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the claimed disabilities and service.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms reflect no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence to corroborate the in-service stressor and thus denying both direct and presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no verified stressor event in service to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied. For hypertension, the evidence does not show it was caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus, so service connection is also denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available level (100%) due to severe impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to deficiencies in the analysis and failure to obtain relevant records. The case will be referred back to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records, verifying stressors, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is incurred in service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the current 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms are consistent with the criteria for no more than this rating.