PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since the date of his claim, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Westside Vet Center in Parma, Ohio. The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The veteran does not have a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and there is no evidence linking the peripheral neuropathy of his upper extremities to service or to his service-connected diabetes. The Board therefore denies all three issues.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to August 7, 2003. After that date, the rating was increased to 100 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and obtain his medical records from SSA. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for an increased rating for Scheuermann's disease of the spine was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a new hearing at the Seattle RO.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying a claimed in-service stressor and obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's PTSD.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, a disability manifested by chest pain, an increased rating for gunshot wound of the chest, and initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss have all been denied. The veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 50 percent, effective from June 1999. The issue of reopening his hypertension claim remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA negligence or an unforeseen event, and thus denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The veteran's cause of death was sepsis due to aspiration, and the VA is asked to review the terminal hospital records to determine if his post-traumatic stress disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 10, 2005 and later increased to 50 percent effective June 10, 2005. The Board found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment, with reduced reliability and productivity. The VA examiner found the effect on his work, family, and other relationships to be moderate in severity.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no medical evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his education and occupational experience.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent and does not affect his employability. The Board denied both issues as there was no evidence of service connection via a presumption or new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 17, 2003, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to his July 17, 2003, submission.