PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his claimed conditions. Service connection was not granted for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic right knee disorder, or irritable colon syndrome. A compensable evaluation was also denied for folliculitis of the scrotum.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The symptoms include avoidance, diminished interest in activities, detachment and estrangement from others, some anger, concentration problems, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, hypertension at 10 percent, and status post triple coronary artery bypass grafting prior to January 4, 2006, at 30 percent. The claim for a higher rating for the condition from May 1, 2006, was granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied it. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective December 14, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety reaction is currently rated at 50 percent prior to March 30, 2004 and at 70 percent from May 1, 2004.

The Board finds that the earliest document in the claims file, a signed VA Form 21-526 submitted on March 21, 2002, constitutes the claim for service connection of PTSD. Therefore, an effective date earlier than March 21, 2002 is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not supported by new and material evidence, and thus denied it. The case is being remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the veteran's treatment records and lack of access to all relevant medical records.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for her PTSD has been granted, with the current rating of 50% effective from the date of the original claim.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% from August 23, 2002 to June 12, 2006 and later increased to 70% effective from June 13, 2006. The current rating is for the period after the initial grant of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet was also denied, as there is no evidence relating the current condition to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of combat involvement and insufficient supporting information to verify the claimed in-service stressors. The veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is not considered related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his diagnosis was not supported by a corroborated stressor or any other evidence of record.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 8, 2003. The Board found that the evidence did not show an increase in disability within one year prior to the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective June 15, 2004. The TDIU and DEA eligibility were also granted on this date.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD prior to the Board's decision. The case is remanded for further development regarding an increased rating for bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in a June 1987 rating decision. He did not appeal this decision and it became final. The RO granted service connection for PTSD on February 5, 2002 with a 100% evaluation, but the effective date cannot be prior to that date.

The veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD have been granted, but he is seeking higher ratings. The Board has determined that the current 50 percent ratings are appropriate.