PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD, and his chronic back disability was not incurred or aggravated during service. Hypertension is also not presumed to be related to service. The veteran's arthritis claim cannot be granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD, which was initially assigned at 30 percent. The RO has requested additional medical records and will schedule the veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied. The RO found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and his period of active service. His PTSD claim was also denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for proper VCAA notice and further development before readjudication.

The Board has confirmed and continued the initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability, as it is not shown to warrant a higher evaluation. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting fracture of the right femur did not undergo a permanent worsening during active duty and therefore service connection for status-post fracture right leg is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and PTSD were denied, while the claim for TDIU was remanded. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability or 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service and supported by medical evidence.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence to verify the veteran's claimed in-service personal assault, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current medical diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link his symptoms to a specific in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the veteran's alleged in-service stressors and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated during service and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and fragment wound of the left buttock are rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for both conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to May 11, 2006. As of May 11, 2006, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 70 percent evaluation is warranted based on his symptoms of suicidal ideation, intermittent illogical speech, depression, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.