PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran is not eligible for service connection for PTSD as she was not on active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA at the time of the alleged sexual assault. As a result, her claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective dates for PTSD and anxiety reaction, finding that no earlier effective date was warranted due to lack of evidence showing disability within one year prior to July 25, 2001.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it on the merits, finding that there is credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressful event of personal assault in September 1985 and establishing a nexus between diagnosed PTSD and this event.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a prior effective date for service connection is being remanded to the RO.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest possible effective date is June 19, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor to which the disorder can be linked.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to June 12, 2006 and at 50% beginning June 12, 2006. The bilateral hip disorder with degenerative joint disease claim is denied.

The VA denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective October 15, 2004.

The Board has determined that an effective date of December 23, 1994 is warranted for the award of service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder.

The veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for dysthymia is denied. The effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is set at January 22, 2001.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting diagnoses of PTSD and the need to verify stressful incidents related by the veteran. The case will be returned for further review.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to June 10, 2005, and at 70 percent as of that date. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, depression, and some psychotic symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, effective from August 20, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and his PTSD is not service-connected. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's experiences do not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after a previous SSOC. The issues of service connection for PTSD and heart disorder are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and PTSD, and did not assign a disability rating for the right eye corneal scar as it was found to be noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are not service connected. The veteran was denied service connection for both conditions.