PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD as a result of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, which is more than the current 30 percent rating. The decision reflects that the veteran's symptoms and impairment are now considered to be at the level warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic tinnitus was denied. The effective date of the 70 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder was granted as May 30, 2002, but the status regarding an earlier effective date for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is unknown.,The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The RO awarded a 70 percent evaluation from May 30, 2002 to the present.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2005 and increased to 30 percent from that date. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (increased rating) while others remained unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder and PTSD, as well as basic eligibility for non-service-connected pension benefits. The veteran's period of active duty did not meet the threshold requirements for wartime service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his combat experiences during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a confirmed stressor in service which would support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or an opinion that any other psychiatric disorder was caused or aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 50 percent rating, reflecting moderate to considerable occupational and social impairment. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity motor neuropathy and deep vein thrombophlebitis was denied as not related to cold weather exposure.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development and verification of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including low back disability and left shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The VA determined that the veteran did not have a current PTSD disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to unverified claimed stressors, and as a result, there is no basis upon which to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disability (to include depression and/or PTSD), and a sleep disorder are all denied as there is no competent evidence to support these conditions were incurred during active military service.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted.,PTSD service connection was denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor statements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression warrants a 50 percent evaluation, but not higher. The service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left foot metatarsophalangeal joint is rated at 20 percent, but not higher.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied. Service connection for PTSD was also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active military service.