PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and his claim for service connection for PTSD was also granted. The decision is based on direct evidence of the conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and PTSD, do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have post-traumatic stress disorder and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent, and his residuals of gunshot wound to the right thigh do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension due to a lack of competent evidence demonstrating a current disability related to these conditions. The examiner found no diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV standards.

The veteran's death was attributed to congestive heart failure, which is not service-connected. Service connection for PTSD remains in effect and rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective June 28, 2004, based on the veteran's symptoms of anger, behavioral instability, and danger to others.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left thumb injury, and GSW scar of the right leg. The veteran was also denied service connection for immersion foot.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 22, 2001. His diabetes was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent from August 7, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of the conditions listed. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during service and provided credible evidence of a stressor related to his military service. The VA examiner diagnosed PTSD based on the reported in-service stressors, meeting all criteria for PTSD except those for criterion C.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, and left ear injury due to an in-service automobile accident are denied as the injuries were caused by his own willful misconduct.

The veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating effective from July 18, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verifying in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination.