PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and residuals of a cold injury was denied. His claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss resulted in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD and service connection for residuals of motor vehicle accident as due to service-connected PTSD are pending.

The veteran's claims of increased rating for adjustment disorder and TDIU eligibility are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection, exposure basis, and Pact Act application are not addressed as they are not relevant to this decision.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus or PTSD. The veteran does not have these conditions and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify the veteran's alleged stressors and obtain his medical records from a VA facility. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left ankle disability related to his period of service and denied his claim. The issue of PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of the occurrence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable prior to February 1, 1998 that the veteran's PTSD warranted such ratings.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent effective August 25, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and a psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran meets criteria for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dismissed the claim for bipolar disorder due to lack of evidence supporting the veteran's claimed stressors. The veteran's PTSD is related to his military experiences, including submarine accidents.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to October 29, 2004 and increased to 50 percent from that date until January 4, 2005. The RO then granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective January 5, 2005.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify stressors and provide notice regarding evidence from sources other than her service records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, ankle, tibia and fibula fractures, PTSD, and hearing loss. The veteran's statements indicate his belief that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the April 1996 rating decision denying service connection. The effective date remains February 20, 2002.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reopening of a claim for post-traumatic stress disorder and an increased evaluation for diabetes. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total disability rating beyond February 29, 2004 was denied as there is no provision in the regulations allowing such a period beyond one year following treatment.,The veteran's claim for increased evaluation for residuals of right TKA was also denied as his condition had improved and did not require convalescence beyond the initial one-year period.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for VA compensation benefits in lieu of military retirement pay was denied as the earliest legal basis is February 3, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding no direct evidence of causation during service or a link to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD meets the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation, which is now in effect.