PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and found that it is related to military service. The veteran's PTSD was also found to be related to his military service, but a separate rating for tinnitus in each ear is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The veteran had a pending claim for service connection of PTSD, which was found to be warranted based on his combat experiences in Vietnam. Therefore, the veteran's death qualifies for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: one regarding an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits and the other for a higher disability rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including those from SSA.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to insufficient information regarding the veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed PTSD is not related to a verified stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors, and thus he did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% for the period from July 10, 1998, through October 26, 1999. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressor could not be verified.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral plantar warts remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability for which service connection can be granted, including PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors or a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat and therefore, his statements alone are insufficient to establish the occurrence of an in-service stressor for post-traumatic stress disorder. The bilateral knee disability is also denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 13, 2001 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. This is based on a VA Form 21-4138 filed by the veteran in February 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD did not meet DSM-IV criteria.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for PTSD due to an in-service sexual assault has been granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for low back disability remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct a VA examination. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is less likely than not related to his period of active duty service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed PTSD and skin rash. The VA will seek verification of stressors, conduct examinations for PTSD and skin rash, and obtain relevant medical records.