PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including the possibility of receiving new and material evidence and a factual inquiry best left to the Board.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including an assessment of the veteran's reported stressors and a possible VA PTSD examination.

The Board denied the claim to reopen for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and found that the veteran did not file a timely appeal for entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury.

The veteran's service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was granted based on the evidence of a verified in-service sexual assault and other credible supporting evidence.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to September 11, 2006 and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent from that date. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was found without legal merit.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 5, 2005. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent. The veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is likely attributable to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation of the veteran's PTSD claim, which is currently linked to his exposure to wounded veterans in a New York hospital during service.

The veteran's PTSD claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,His lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as spondylolisthesis, was not incurred in service and is unrelated to active military service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish the occurrence of a verified stressor for PTSD, and therefore remands the case for further development including verification of any reported events.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected depression since July 17, 2006. The claim for PTSD was also granted.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which he attributes to his service in Vietnam. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of reported stressors.

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

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and he argues for a higher rating. The Board has ordered further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination to assess his current PTSD severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there is competent evidence linking his PTSD to his combat experiences. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of PTSD or peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but further development is needed to verify stressors and determine if a current diagnosis of PTSD is related to service.