PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's hypertension and PTSD were granted service connection, with the hypertension receiving a 10 percent evaluation initially and an increased to 30 percent effective September 2002. The initial evaluation for PTSD was denied, but it received a 30 percent evaluation effective September 2002.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor event. The diagnosis of PTSD is not established, as it does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis under DSM-IV. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hand disorder, left shoulder impingement, skin rash, diabetes mellitus, sarcoma, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 20, 1998. The evidence does not show symptoms warranting a higher rating prior to August 4, 2005.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD and remands the case for further development, including verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and a need for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, major depression, schizophrenia, agoraphobia, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the low back, right arm pain (major), left arm pain, and left shoulder pain. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for Hepatitis C. For PTSD, the Board determined there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. For bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, the VA examination indicated these conditions were not related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection for PTSD, neck disorder, or low back disorder. The veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support the assertions.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for both issues, including the service connection claim and the increased rating claim for electrical burn scars. The Board is dismissing these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 26, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The effective date is set at November 26, 2002 based on liberalizing regulations and the veteran meeting eligibility criteria as of the change in law.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by serious but not severe symptomatology, and thus does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's appeal to have an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the claim was not filed in a timely manner.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms were severe and prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to April 19, 2004.

The veteran seeks an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD from March 23, 2001, to July 9, 2003.,The veteran also seeks a higher rating for his PTSD, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, finding that it manifested by reduced reliability and productivity with symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.