PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted the veteran a 10% rating for right ear hearing loss, effective from February 1970.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is of such severity as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Coronary Artery Disease as secondary to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to determine if he has chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of the veteran's PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran had overcome the effects of impairment to employment through suitable occupation consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests until September 5, 2003. Therefore, retroactive entitlement to Vocational Rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 prior to this date was denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence within the year prior to April 11, 2002 that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent, and his cardiac disability is not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it likely related to the veteran's military service. The hearing loss claim was denied as the audiometric testing did not meet VA criteria for disability.

The Board has granted the veteran's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and PTSD. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of these conditions, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The VA will seek out any missing records from her treatment providers and request information about stressors related to her claimed disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional evidence and determine if his bipolar disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice, specifically regarding the need for a diagnosis of PTSD from a competent medical professional.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and there is no current evidence of residuals from malaria or peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for VA examinations, Social Security Administration records, and proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TMJ syndrome, and a sleep disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for PTSD was denied as well.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from September 22, 2005. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete review of medical records and need for further investigation by medical professionals.