PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further evidence regarding in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's PTSD, based on severe occupational and social impairment.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which is a direct service connection case. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The decision does not address the claim for PTSD. The evaluation for service-connected hearing loss prior to September 14, 2006 was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,Effective from September 14, 2006, the veteran's disability rating for service-connected hearing loss has been increased to 40 percent.

The veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity, leading to difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor for PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current left upper arm radiculopathy is related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to the veteran's incarceration and incomplete stressor information.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent from May 30, 2003 to April 4, 2004 and 50 percent since April 5, 2004.

The veteran's service with the NMANG during the February 1980 riot at the New Mexico State Penitentiary is not considered active duty for VA compensation purposes, and thus his claim for PTSD based on this service is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO level.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back condition. The claims for PTSD, heart condition, paranoia and a delusional disorder, chronic skin condition, and pulmonary tuberculosis were also denied.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 15, 2006 and 50 percent from that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore denied his claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports reopening the claim, but denied service connection due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain terminal hospital records and seek an opinion on whether PTSD contributed to the veteran's death. The case is remanded for these actions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors and provide proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for alternative evidence supporting his claim of in-service assault and stressor verification.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, as there was insufficient medical nexus evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have current PTSD related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.