PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining more recent VA medical records and scheduling a VA mental status examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying claimed stressors, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, were found to be caused by his service and granted service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains in appellate status.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for payment of VA monthly disability compensation benefits in the amount of $2193.00 effective as of September 1, 1981.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and liver disease, but denied his claim for right renal calculus (claimed as blood in urine). The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from December 19, 2000 to August 9, 2005. The claim for an earlier effective date and higher rating remains denied.

The veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment in most areas, including anxiety, a depressed mood, hypervigilance, and impaired impulse control. The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial evaluation for PTSD, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service and there is no credible supporting evidence of any in-service stressors. As a result, the claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to obtain relevant records and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner found that the veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD based on verified in-service stressors and diagnosed him with PTSD. The VA examiner also determined that the veteran's DM is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation. The acne vulgaris has been reclassified as eczema and assigned a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent. The appeal for service connection for PTSD is denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

The veteran's service connection claims for compression fractures of L4 and L5, a pinched nerve in the upper back, and PTSD are pending. The increased evaluation claim for PTSD is also pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or depression related to his military service and denied all claims of service connection. The hearing loss claim is pending as there are conflicting audiometric test results.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of evidence, including a PTSD-personal assault development letter and VA treatment records. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD will be held in abeyance.