PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of malaria, and residuals of hepatitis. The claim for skin cancer (claimed as basal cell carcinoma) is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Board found that the veteran's color blindness was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence received since July 2007, and further development may be required if relevant evidence is identified.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the VA examination reports are outdated and additional evidence, including SSA records, needs to be obtained.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on a personal assault during active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hand disability, and right knee disability. The claim of reopening a PTSD claim was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hypertension did not begin during service or within one year of separation from active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his left shoulder disability is not related to service or his service-connected chest scars. Therefore, both claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding no diagnosis of PTSD based on events during active service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressor or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the preponderance of evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation prior to March 2, 2004 and a 100 percent evaluation from March 2, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of combat stressors and an opinion on whether the veteran's anxiety disorder was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors. The case will be returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining ship/deck logs and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify a claimed stressor and determine if the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50% initial rating since May 7, 2002.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an addendum from the VA examiner to address whether any pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated in service or originated during service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that his condition only warrants a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to May 7, 1997, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim was reopened in May 1997, and the earliest possible effective date is therefore that day.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.