PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to March 10, 2004 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is not warranted based on the evidence showing that symptoms did not meet the criteria for such a rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD from September 23, 2004. The veteran's symptoms have more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. The veteran was assigned a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence verifying the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The VA denied a request for an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's condition does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms and overall functioning.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disability and service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, and the effective date for service connection remains April 3, 2004.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of a verified stressor during service. The veteran's personnel records do not clearly indicate combat involvement, and his assertions of service stressors are not sufficient to establish the occurrence of such events.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 10, 2004 due to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding that the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service is presumed. The veteran's PTSD was also found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD as a result of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in service and grants his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of PTSD in excess of 50 percent is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of MS and granted his TDIU based on his PTSD, finding that he is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses for psychiatric treatment after January 1, 2003 from the Great River Trauma Counseling & Education Center is denied as prior authorization was not obtained and no emergency situation existed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and scheduling of the veteran for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD, which caused his death in September 2003, was not related to service and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 100 percent schedular rating for post-traumatic stress disorder, which the Board found warranted as of September 24, 2002 under the old criteria. The veteran also sought an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, which the Board found warranted as of September 24, 2002.,The evidence showed that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment prior to September 24, 2002. The effective date for both claims is set at this point.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including psychological testing and a psychiatric examination to verify stressors and determine if service connection is warranted.