PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during service or for many years after service, and the medical opinion was against a nexus to service. The veteran's PTSD was incurred in service.,The VA examiner diagnosed PTSD based on the veteran's childhood experiences and combat exposure during service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from January 9, 2004, and a 100 percent disability rating effective from January 8, 2007.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD was denied. The March 2003 decision, which continued the 70% rating and denied TDIU, is not subject to revision on the same factual basis except by a duly constituted appellate authority or as provided in 38 C.F.R. § 3.105.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service and there is no credible supporting evidence of the alleged stressors. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 30 percent disability rating effective from August 2003. The VA determined that the veteran did not meet criteria for a higher initial evaluation prior to January 24, 2008 and on or after January 24, 2008.

The Board has decided that the veteran's PTSD claim was not properly considered due to an incomplete record. The case is now being remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's PTSD has been productive of not more than an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension (as secondary to his service-connected paroxysmal atrial tachycardia), and a stroke. The increased rating claim for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia was also denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD, effective from January 8, 2004. The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and service connection prior to January 8, 2004 is pending.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the claim for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bilateral tinnitus is considered incurred during active service due to exposure to noise without ear protection. Service connection for PTSD is not warranted as the overwhelming preponderance of medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed stressors are not combat-related and have not been verified. As a result, service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have major depressive disorder or PTSD attributable to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 1, 2004 and found no clear and unmistakable error in the February 16, 1989 rating decision denying service connection for a nervous disorder.

The veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anger outbursts, depression, and impaired impulse control. The Board found that these symptoms warrant a higher evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to clarify the veteran's current diagnosis and determine if he has PTSD related to verified in-service stressors. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as irritability, excessive startle responses, sleep difficulties including nightmares, depression and isolating behavior. However, there was no evidence of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as frequent panic attacks, impaired judgment or impaired abstract thinking.