PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran is not entitled to service connection for his left knee disability, as there was no showing of a current disability related to the August 2001 injury. For PTSD, the VA examination did not reflect any worsening since the last evaluation in August 2005.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death while the case was pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the veteran's reported stressors and determine if he participated in combat, which could affect his claim for service connection of PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bipolar disorder or PTSD, and there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for these conditions. The initial noncompensable evaluation assigned for the scar of the left abdomen was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as it seeks a benefit not provided by law.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability rating, effective from May 4, 2004. The veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to November 8, 2006; it was not productive of deficiencies in most areas during this period of time.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 20, 1999 for a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disorder as it is final due to the veteran withdrawing his appeal and not expressing disagreement within one year.

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by definite impairment of his ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people and severe impairment in his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people from June 21, 1996 to February 5, 2006. From February 6, 2006, the veteran's PTSD was manifested by severe impairment in his ability to establish and maintain effective or favorable relationships with people.

The veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 14, 2000, based on his service-connected PTSD and low back disability. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable that the veteran's difficulties maintaining employment were related to his service-connected disabilities as of this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Low Back Disability, and Cervical Spine Disability. The effective date for PTSD was set at April 6, 1992, as this is when the claim was received. For Low Back Disability and Cervical Spine Disability, the earliest dates of service connection were July 31, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to her in-service sexual assault and is granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors. The claims for residuals of a right ankle strain and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder have also been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and thus could not establish PTSD based on a verified, in-service stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not causally or etiologically related to his period of active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional notice.

The veteran's PTSD has been found to result in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD effective August 28, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board at the RO.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and conduct further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.