PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for PTSD, left foot deformity, a crooked left leg, bipolar disorder with major depression, a left tibia disorder and hearing loss as these claims were withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The VA adjudicated his claim and granted a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from August 1, 2001. The veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD due to an inservice verified stressor, and service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a nexus between any claimed conditions and active service.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, neck disorder, toe fungus, stomach disorder, left knee disorder, eye disorders (Refractive error and Presbyopia), temporomandibular joint syndrome, or left foot disorder.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 17 and 18, 2006 are approved due to the emergency nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with the decision based on new and material evidence of an in-service sexual assault during basic training.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 15, 1994 for a 100 percent disability evaluation for service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not demonstrate a factually ascertainable increase in PTSD symptoms within the one-year period preceding November 15, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition, and his claimed headaches and motor control problem are not related to service. The veteran's organic affective syndrome is not presumed due to service, but he did not provide sufficient evidence to establish it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as the earliest possible effective date was assigned based on the date he filed his claim, August 31, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD related to in-service stressors and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for PTSD and right heel stress fracture residuals due to incomplete information about in-service stressors and need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) on the basis of a need for regular aid and attendance and/or being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective December 9, 2003. The VA found that the condition causes significant impairment in social and occupational functioning but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The veteran's unspecified stomach disability is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The VA denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.