PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD cannot be granted as there is no evidence showing a prior claim was filed before April 7, 2004.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bronchitis. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of these conditions were pre-existing or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression was incurred in service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a foot disorder (bilateral heel spurs) is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with Panic Attacks and Anxiety, as well as kidney stones. The veteran does not have a currently diagnosed kidney disability, and there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder has been rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. As a result, the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending issue of entitlement to an increased initial rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to confirm the veteran's presence during an attack on Phu Loi base camp and to determine if he meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service medical records and a lack of evidence regarding in-service stressors. The veteran's claim for PTSD will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD and found that there are no current residuals of gonorrhea. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of recent psychiatric evaluations and treatment records, as well as the need for another VA examination to determine if the veteran now experiences PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder resulting from his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notification.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective December 22, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, arthritis of the left shoulder, arthritis of the left hand, arthritis of the right hand, bilateral leg and joint pain, cramps in the legs, cramps in the hands, tinea versicolor, and polycythemia. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is unrelated to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU, finding that new evidence did not establish a causal link between his claimed stressors and PTSD. The claim was reopened based on new information provided by the veteran, but the Board ultimately denied both the reopening of the claim and the original claim.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 24, 2005, due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and obtain relevant service records. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 19, 1988, for service connection of PTSD should be granted as of February 5, 1988.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus, body cramping, low back disability, PTSD, and skin disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also noted that his exposure to noise during service was presumed due to his service in Vietnam.