PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for varicose vein of the left thigh and an increased disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder have been denied. The reduction in the disability rating for the varicose vein was found to be void ab initio, and the criteria for both conditions were not met for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's current back disability, hypertension, heart disease, skin cancer, and PTSD are related to his military service. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify a claimed stressor for the veteran's PTSD diagnosis and schedule him for a VA psychiatric examination if necessary. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VCAA notice and missing service medical records. The veteran's claim for reopening his previously denied PTSD claim will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a psychiatric disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the veteran's death to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50% and has been increased to 70%. Bilateral hearing loss was denied. The decision reflects a mixed outcome as the PTSD rating was granted but not the hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there was no credible supporting evidence that he was exposed to stressors during his active service, and the diagnosis of PTSD relied on post-service stressors. The Board found that the diagnoses were insufficient to establish service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from September 25, 2003 through March 17, 2005. The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 18, 2003. The VA determined that the condition causes significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but the claim remains denied as there is no confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD requires additional development and notification, as no VCAA notice letter was provided.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a left foot disorder, and a right foot disorder. The claim for a left ear hearing loss disability was also denied as there is no current disability established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is of moderate severity and primarily manifests with depression, sleep disturbances, and some difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD need further development to corroborate stressors and obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of the claimed stressor events in service.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher initial evaluation.