PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, loss of use of both feet, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and neuropathy of the left foot. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The veteran was granted TDIU for the period prior to December 5, 2000. The issue of entitlement to TDIU for any earlier period remains pending.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective back to the date of service connection. The claim for an increased disability rating for tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis for assigning a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD are denied as the evidence does not support a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus or a compensable rating for hearing loss. The criteria for a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to June 12, 2004, and an effective date earlier than June 12, 2004, are met.

The Board denied all claims for service connection, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors related to post-traumatic stress disorder and rejecting the diagnoses of sleep apnea as not supported by medical records. The other conditions were also not found to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues involving personal assault allegations and PTSD, requiring further development of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment, thus denying a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted at a 10% rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD attributable to his reported stressor in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD with depression and insomnia. The Board has ordered additional records to be obtained from VA medical centers and the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left elbow scars, reopening of PTSD and hearing loss with tinnitus service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his right knee disability claim, and service connection for tinnitus. The denial was based on insufficient evidence showing that the conditions were related to military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent level, indicating significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings or earlier effective dates in any of the issues addressed.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence. The veteran's other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to a verifiable in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and bronchitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors for PTSD. The veteran's bronchitis is considered to be a chronic condition with recurrent episodes over time.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified stressor and a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on unverified events.

The Board determined that the earliest possible effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is April 22, 1992.