PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and authorization to obtain private psychiatric treatment records.

The veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher initial evaluation for PTSD or an increase in the left shoulder disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after any necessary actions are taken.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to combat during World War II, and thus grants the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining missing service medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further VA examination and development of evidence to determine the validity of the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 2, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, low back pain and chronic degenerative arthritis, vertigo, and onychomycosis hyloma. The conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as there is evidence of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an inservice stressor.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent initial evaluation, effective from October 15, 2001. The veteran's claim to reopen his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims was denied. His application for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and chronic low back disability. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of head trauma is pending, but no rating or effective date was assigned as these issues are not related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected Achilles tendonitis and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is incurred during active service and has granted her claim for service connection. The claims for sleep disorder and depression have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen them.

The veteran's CFS is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating. The claim for PTSD remains pending due to incomplete verification of stressors.

The veteran's hepatitis C and PTSD have been rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The VA has determined that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and service connection was granted, with a rating of 30 percent.,Service connection for psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction was also granted, with a rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to inadequate notice and because one of the stressors claimed by the veteran is not verified. The veteran will need to provide additional evidence or details to verify his other two stressors, and a VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine if he has PTSD as a result of the verified event.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that there is no diagnosed diabetes mellitus or PTSD, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also denied.