PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective dates for his PTSD disability rating, as well as TDIU. The VA found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% or 70% disability rating for PTSD prior to April 28, 2003.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent.,The veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, or with deficiencies in most areas. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no diagnosis of PTSD in the record, and the claimed stressor was not verified. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the claimed in-service stressor and the current symptomatology of PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with Major Depression was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is October 6, 2004, when he filed his claim.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's PTSD results in considerable impairment in the ability to establish or maintain effective relationships and industrial impairment due to reduced reliability, flexibility, and efficiency. The Board finds that from February 10, 1992, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have PTSD due to an in-service stressor and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his alcohol abuse, which contributed to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The veteran's depression/PTSD has been rated at 70% since October 20, 1999. The effective date for TDIU is set at October 27, 1999.

The Board found that there is no corroboration or verification of the veteran's claimed stressors, and thus denied her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the January 2006 VA examination and the need for further development, including another psychiatric evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on a personal assault in service was denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support an in-service stressor.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the veteran's claimed inservice stressors and to obtain a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by serious but not severe symptomatology, and thus does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is needed before deciding this appeal, including verifying the veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that VA treatment records from September 2006 relating to surgery on his cervical spine are not relevant to his current claim for an increased rating for his service-connected disability of lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to October 1, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not assignable.