PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 1999. The evaluation for the left knee disability was not changed as it remained at 10 percent since May 6, 1999. A separate 10 percent evaluation was assigned for left knee degenerative changes since July 23, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, disassociative disorder, and borderline personality disorder, are related to her military service. The issue of secondary service connection for a personality disorder is moot as it was not found to be a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 70% effective August 23, 1994. The RO denied the appellant's claim for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because the veteran did not meet the criteria of being in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied during his lifetime. The appellant is seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, but the claim is denied as there was no entitlement to receive compensation at the time of death.

The VA has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's PTSD, which is currently the maximum benefit allowed by law.

PTSD was rated at 30 percent since June 5, 2000.,Chloracne was rated at 10 percent from December 20, 1999 to August 29, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work. The criteria for the assignment of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and assessing whether new evidence supports reopening a claim of service connection for malaria. The veteran's PTSD symptoms are also to be evaluated, with consideration given to whether they are proximately due to or result from his skin disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and her depression claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the February 2002 RO decision is not new and material, and thus does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the veteran's PTSD claim. As such, the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine if PTSD is related to service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD most nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating throughout the initial evaluation period.

The Board found that the veteran's pes cavus did not increase in severity during service and was not incurred or aggravated by military service. The claim for PTSD remains pending as verification of stressors is required.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and to provide the veteran with adequate notice regarding his claims for PTSD and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chloracne (claimed as resulting from herbicide exposure), and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The RO has obtained all relevant evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of the veteran's appeal.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted the effective date of May 18, 1987 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is currently primarily manifested by nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, panic attacks, poor concentration, and increased startle response. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since April 1972. The VA determined that the current rating is appropriate given his symptoms, which include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatal motor vehicle accident was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of objective evidence of participation in combat and independent verification of stressors.