PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is directly caused by his military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2004. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD has not caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms like suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; intermittent illogical, obscure, or irrelevant speech; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; or inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. As a result, the schedular criteria for an initial disability rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD are not met.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury to the right foot are rated at 30 percent, as they meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent and is denied an increased rating.

The VA has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from April 30, 2002. The veteran's condition is characterized by symptoms such as anger, suicidal and homicidal ideation, insomnia, and social isolation.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, left ear hearing loss, and a chronic left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the hearing loss claim and concluding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a noncombat stressor for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder remains under review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for IBS. The veteran was not provided with a VA examination to determine if his PTSD is related to his in-service fracture of the mandible, which could be considered as a stressor.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the veteran's claim to reopen for PTSD. Service connection was denied as there was no credible supporting evidence of the actual occurrence of an in-service stressor, and the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his periods of active duty service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination. The extent of impairment throughout the entire period, including before April 2001, must be considered.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD or Tinnitus, and thus both claims are denied.

The veteran's PTSD and memory loss were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD, and there is no current diagnosis of memory loss.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and lung disorder/asbestosis as the claimed stressors are not supported by credible evidence, and there is no direct evidence of a current disability.

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

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective May 30, 2000, based on newly received evidence that tended to corroborate the veteran's claimed stressors.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's PTSD to his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and readjudicating the claims for a higher rating for PTSD and effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD stressors and incomplete VA treatment records. The appeal will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.