PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD was granted at 30 percent, but the appeals for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the hands/feet were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA medical records. The RO will also arrange for a psychiatric examination to assess the impact of PTSD on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, including a lack of confirmed in-service stressors and a current diagnosis. The veteran is required to provide additional information about his service-related stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a comprehensive service file. The veteran's PTSD claim will be evaluated based on whether his in-service stressors are verified and sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and impotence secondary to PTSD have been granted. The claim for increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to December 12, 2006 has also been granted. However, the claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder from December 12, 2006 onwards remains denied and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not awarded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, resolving all doubts in his favor.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, GERD, hypertension, and a back disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The stressors claimed by the veteran need to be verified, and further examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to new evidence and symptom worsening, requiring a VA examination for PTSD.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under current rating criteria. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the level of severity required for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that a claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent rating, representing total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at 30% effective April 4, 2005. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder is pending and will be remanded. The left knee degenerative joint disease has been rated as 10%. The veteran's higher rating claims for coronary artery disease are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a stomach disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and workers' compensation records, to determine if service connection can be established for PTSD secondary to military sexual trauma.

The Board determined that the veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of an inservice stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded this case due to procedural issues.