PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD, lumbar disc protrusion with discectomy, and a skin condition. The new evidence submitted by the veteran relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims (unspecified stressor events during service). Service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional records and a VA examination to determine if the appellant's service connection claim for PTSD and bipolar disorder is supported by evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and that this condition is sufficiently linked to his wartime experiences, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that the preponderance of evidence is against granting this claim on the merits.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess his level of disability due to PTSD and determine if he can obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment solely as a result of symptoms related to PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric conditions has been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to new evidence submitted since the final denial. The residuals of a left hamstring tear are not shown to have been present in service or at any time thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including right knee arthritis, left knee disability, pulmonary disability (bronchitis and asthma), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing and to address the timeliness of his Substantive Appeal regarding service connection for brain damage, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an autopsy report and determine if PTSD contributed to the veteran's death, which would be considered service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder. The claims are also being reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD and PTSD are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinea versicolor, and arthritis of the bilateral knees were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran. The other two claims were not granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent prior to May 13, 2005.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 14, 2006 and increased to 50 percent from that date. The rating of 30 percent prior to November 14, 2006 is maintained as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected cluster headaches with partial left Horner's syndrome are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, lung disorder, and sinusitis. The claim for skin disorder was not addressed as it is unclear if it was reopened or not.