PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's claimed disabilities of low back, thoracic spine, PTSD, anthrax injections, and asbestos exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, right leg disability with numbness, back disorder, and PTSD, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the Louisville RO. The issues of service connection for painful joints and muscles, PTSD with memory loss and nervousness, and hypertension remain pending.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating under VA regulations. The claim for an increased evaluation for prostatitis and hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and low back disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also denied due to lack of causation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus; PTSD; bilateral hearing loss; and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a link between any of these conditions and active service.

The veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is rated at 70 percent disabling. Service connection for myasthenia gravis and gastrointestinal disability are granted as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder with dysthymic disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the claim for a higher evaluation remains denied.

The veteran's PTSD was caused by his active military service from March 1988 to February 1992, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. However, the veteran does not have diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, seizure disorder, and bilateral knee condition due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors actually occurred in service. The veteran failed to provide sufficient details about his alleged stressors and did not submit any corroborative evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The appeals were all denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim, no current diagnosis of PTSD, and no legal basis for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum possible evaluation of 100 percent, reflecting nearly total occupational and social inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to attempt to corroborate the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if they are indicative of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of psychiatric treatment and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is pending.

The Board found that the appellant's schizoaffective disorder was not incurred in or aggravated during service and denied his claim. The appeal for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU effective July 31, 2003. The earlier effective date is set from the date of his March 20, 2003 claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by medical evidence, and there is credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or combat, and the current conditions are not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and VA examinations to determine service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. The claim is granted.