PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed PTSD stressor remains uncorroborated, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied all claims, including those for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the service connection claim for a dental disability. The issue of reopening the previously denied claim for residuals of an injury to the back and legs was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to multiple drug intoxication, finding that none of the veteran's conditions (diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, or psychiatric condition) were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for prostate cancer or PTSD. Consequently, no disability rating or effective date will be assigned.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development, including verification of stressor events in service and a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking the conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for an increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for tinnitus, a skin disorder, or PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow further development.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a bilateral elbow disability. The veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was not addressed as the RO did not receive an appeal on this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, broken leg, and punctured eardrum due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements prior to April 11, 2002. The effective date of TDIU is set at April 11, 2002.

The Board finds that the unauthorized medical services provided on December 24, 2003, constituted a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. Therefore, the criteria for payment or reimbursement are met.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by reduced reliability and productivity at work with disturbances of motivation and mood, flattened affect, impaired judgment when angry, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent initial disability rating for PTSD are met.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to March 9, 2006. From March 9, 2006, the disability picture warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The veteran's depression and sleep disturbance are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's lichen simplex chronicus has been granted service connection. The claim for PTSD was denied, and the skin condition (lichen simplex) is now granted with a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection is granted. The TDIU claim remains pending as further development is required.

The veteran's PTSD has been primarily manifested by depression, intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, problems with concentration, hyperarousal, sleep disturbances such as nightmares, difficulty with social interaction, and increasing social isolation resulting in total social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that the veteran met the requirements for a 100 percent schedular rating prior to and from May 10, 2005.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU. The Board found that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.