PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral elbow pain. The decision found that tinnitus was incurred in service, but denied service connection for PTSD due to inconsistent diagnoses and major depressive disorder being more credible. Bilateral elbow pain was not shown to be related to a qualifying chronic disability.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The VA awarded a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective May 5, 2005. Attorney fees from past due benefits based on this decision were calculated and denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, respiratory problems, neuralgic symptoms, and cognitive impairment are being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.,Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further examination. The VA will schedule a new examination to reconcile these differences.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating throughout the initial evaluation period, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right hips, and an increase in rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied. The RO also denied service connection for emphysema and frostbite, with the latter requiring further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed PTSD is not service-connected due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a heart condition, and headaches. The claim for an increased rating for thoracic spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the veteran had any limitation of motion or abnormal spinal contour prior to April 7, 2004.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to determine if he currently has PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral phlebitis has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis or link to active duty.,The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has also been reopened, but there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective October 31, 2002. The veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD, effective January 21, 2002.

The Board has determined that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine if the veteran has PTSD and whether it is related to an in-service stressor. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on a current diagnosis and medical opinion linking it to in-service stressors.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that this level of disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent. The veteran also did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The claim for residuals of a malunion of a left femur fracture was reopened but not established.,There is no evidence to support the veteran's claimed stressors or current conditions.