PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and remanded it to the RO for further action. The appeal also includes a claim for PTSD, which is being remanded as well.

The veteran's low back disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected. The initial disability ratings for PTSD (30%), bilateral hearing loss (0%), and diabetes mellitus (20%) have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed service connection for PTSD, including verification of stressor events.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for schizophrenia and headaches are remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as there is no legal merit to it.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was received by the RO on August 6, 2002. The effective date assigned is August 6, 2002.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's claimed traumatic experiences in service were not consistent with his service record and insufficient evidence supported these events. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of the veteran's PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with consideration of staged ratings.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and schizophrenia, was granted an effective date of April 11, 2007 for a 100% disability rating.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that service connection was established and a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 16, 2001, for his initial 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation, and the Board has determined that this initial evaluation is not sufficient to warrant an increase.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and a back disability. The case has been remanded to schedule the veteran for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or exposure to undiagnosed illness, respectively. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to active duty.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from September 11, 2006. The diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, cataract, tinea cruris, and bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 26, 2002 and 50 percent since November 26, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or combat experience related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition of the head, back, arms, hands, and legs, bronchitis, and PTSD. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. However, additional development is required regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current left leg disability did not originate in service and is not related to any event that occurred in service. The veteran was not engaged in combat, and there is no credible supporting evidence of a sexual assault during service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be established.