PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidence to verify the veteran's reported stressors and service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service stressors and combat status. The case will be returned to the RO for further development, including verifying the veteran's claimed stressors and conducting a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation from April 25, 2003 to November 13, 2004.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his desire to withdraw the appeal. As a result, no decision can be made on any of the issues.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since May 21, 1997. The Board granted an increased evaluation for PTSD from October [redacted], 1999 to the appellant's April [redacted], 2005 release from a period of incarceration and denied any further increase in rating.

The veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were evaluated by the Board. The increased rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable due to lack of evidence from a state-licensed audiologist. His initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of corroborated stressors and a lack of a medical diagnosis of PTSD. The veteran's unit was reportedly subjected to rocket attacks, mortar attacks, decomposing bodies, and enemy corpses during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, anxiety disorder, and depression have all been denied. The claim for PTSD has not been addressed in this decision.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective April 13, 2002 and assigned a 100% disability rating. The veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim was filed on February 4, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, that is attributable to his active military service. The low back disorder also cannot be attributed to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome do not warrant evaluations in excess of 70 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors and a need for additional development, including verification of alleged in-service events.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 17, 2003. The RO has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and determine if they occurred during his service in Vietnam. The case will be readjudicated after this information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, indicating serious impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the spine, require daily personal health care services due to his limited mobility and high risk for falls. The Board finds that these needs are primarily attributable to his service-connected conditions and grants special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including depression, impaired impulse control, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work. The criteria for the assignment of a rating of 70 percent for PTSD have been met.

The veteran's psychiatric disability has increased in severity due to her service-connected post-operative retinal detachments with diplopia, both eyes. The Board finds that the veteran's psychiatric disability is aggravated by her service-connected condition and grants service connection for this degree of additional impairment.