PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia, and major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for panic attacks is rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as there is a current diagnosis, verified stressors, and medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since December 23, 2004. After August 20, 2007, the rating increased to 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed events.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including securing treatment records and arranging for a VA psychiatric evaluation to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of verified in-service stressors or diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying stressors. The veteran's PTSD is being evaluated in light of all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the veteran's claimed stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's in-service PTSD stressors and perform a Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) search.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify stressors and obtain medical records for the veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining evidence and providing a VA examination to assess the veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD is also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and requests that all relevant evidence be considered.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to August 15, 2002. Since then, he has been granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from August 15, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a gunshot wound to the right groin with sciatica. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and entitlement to higher initial ratings for hearing loss and for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The veteran's PTSD and lumbosacral strain were denied increased ratings, while service connection for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further investigation and potential verification of in-service stressors.

The Board determined that the veteran's PTSD had improved, and restored a 10% disability rating from September 1, 2004.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating, and his traumatic amputation of the left index finger does not warrant an increased rating beyond 30 percent.

The veteran is factually housebound due to his service-connected PTSD with depression prior to September 28, 2005 and beginning July 1, 2006. Special monthly compensation based on housebound status has been granted.