PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice, and the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The veteran's claims for service connection for UTI, chest scar, pes planus, groin and stomach pain, allergic rhinitis, and URI have all been denied as there is no current evidence of disability related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD. The Board also found that the veteran's PTSD diagnosis is linked to an in-service stressor involving enemy rocket attacks during his time in Vietnam, which has been verified.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD etiologically related to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD as a result of service and therefore denied his claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD caused occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks from August 18, 2000, to September 7, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD on an extra-schedular basis, finding that there was no evidence to support such a rating.

The Board denied service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda and PTSD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service or post-service treatment. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to the need for further development regarding potential personal assault stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and other pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining additional stressor information and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Residuals of Cold Injury. The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there was insufficient evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service. For the residuals of cold injury claim, the medical records were silent on any treatment or diagnosis related to such injuries during or after service.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for disability manifested by dizziness and granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD. The veteran's headaches are rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has granted increased evaluations for his peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The veteran's PTSD symptoms are under reasonable control with treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine if PTSD is related to in-service events. The veteran's post-traumatic headaches are also being examined for an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by depression, restricted affect, fair insight and judgment, monotic speech with low volume, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, decreased sleep, emotional detachment, difficulty with relationships, panic attacks, and concentration difficulties. The RO granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and service connection for COPD, finding that December 19, 2002 is the earliest date assignable for service connection of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible corroborating evidence that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors occurred, and because he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 11, 2001 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD.