PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from September 23, 2003 through August 16, 2005. It was then increased to 50 percent effective from August 17, 2005 and further elevated to 70 percent effective from September 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects reduced reliability and productivity. The residuals of the gunshot wound to his left hand are also rated at 20 percent due to partial amputation of the index finger and loss of extension in the middle finger.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant such an increase.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that hypertension was not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires further development and is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as they do not demonstrate significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant had a preexisting left knee disorder and was not shown to have any new injuries or diseases in ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. He also did not meet the criteria for service connection due to his psychiatric condition, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, or pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis and causal link between his reported in-service stressors and his current PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and ED have been granted. The initial rating for PTSD is set at 30 percent effective September 25, 2008. The initial compensable rating for ED was assigned as of November 13, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD, finding that during the period from December 6, 2002 to September 13, 2005, his PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, during the period from September 14, 2005 to present, his PTSD did not cause significant impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new examination, and considering the Court's March 2008 Memorandum Decision.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective June 17, 1993, based on new and material evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current PTSD is service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of evidence supporting his claim, despite his reported stressful experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of schizophrenia or PTSD, and his depressive symptoms are related to confinement in the prison system. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported stressors have not been verified and additional development is needed to determine if he was exposed to a stressor in service, which could potentially establish service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and denied a compensable evaluation for gynecomastia from April 30, 1969 to September 5, 1996.

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the failure to attend his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a video conference hearing at the RO.