PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded it to obtain additional information regarding the claimed stressors.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the veteran's discharge and treatment records, verifying a claimed stressor, and scheduling an examination to determine if PTSD is present.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the veteran's claimed stressors and obtaining VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 17, 2002. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as frequent nightmares, intrusive recollections, flashbacks, anger and irritability, sleep problems, anxiety, distress, and hypervigilence.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and thus the claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The VA has already granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 30 percent, which is the current status of the veteran's claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development, including a VA audiological examination to determine whether his current hearing loss is related to service. The veteran's PTSD claim remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied due to his failure to report for multiple scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to his death, and thus denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression remains pending and requires further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's May 13, 1970 discharge is still considered under conditions other than honorable due to his alleged insanity at the time of a service offense. The case is being remanded for further investigation and medical opinion regarding the validity of the veteran's claim.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from September 2, 2003, through May 12, 2005. This rating is considered the highest possible under the criteria for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosed disability. The claim for an increased evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis was also denied as the condition is inactive and not currently disabling.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD and for special monthly compensation based on housebound status. The Board has remanded these claims to allow for further development.

The veteran's PTSD is associated with his military service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.