PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by moderate symptoms, including anxiety, depression, irritability, difficulty with crowds, flashbacks, and nightmares. The VA determined that the disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee condition, left knee condition, tinnitus, COPD/asthma, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the legs and arms, and loss of use of a creative organ. The denial is based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or other presumptive exposure.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was withdrawn prior to a decision.,The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since May 19, 2008. The rating is based on symptoms such as depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, hypervigilance, irritability, outbursts of anger, panic attacks, disturbances of mood and motivation, difficulty establishing effective social relationships, and suicidal thoughts.,The veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 20%. His condition manifests with occasional urinary incontinence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

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

The Board found that the veteran's VA Form 9, received on January 21, 2004, was not timely filed within the required time frame for a substantive appeal. As a result, the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider the issue of an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication due to issues regarding combat status, stressor events, and other relevant evidence.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected PTSD, which is more than the current 30 percent rating. The veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressor and to ensure compliance with all directives. The case will be returned for further review.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss and PTSD was dismissed due to the veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination for PTSD. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from June 10, 1997 to October 27, 2004. From October 28, 2004 to February 21, 2008, the rating increased to 50 percent. After that period, a 70 percent evaluation was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was granted. However, service connection for residuals of an ear infection (perforated tympanic membranes), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder were all denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD present in service or related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD. The veteran's claim is remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing concerning his downstream claim for an increased rating of PTSD.

The veteran does not have a diagnosed disability related to PTSD or any other service-connected condition. His claims for various injuries and exposures are also denied.