PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD with dysthymia and personality disorder was not more than 50% disabling prior to March 2006, and the RO denied an initial rating in excess of 50%. The RO granted a 70% rating for PTSD since March 2006.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 17, 2006 and increased to 50 percent effective February 17, 2006. The right knee condition remains unassigned a rating.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD diagnosis was based on his unverified report, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD are not related to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD is granted, and his previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer are reopened. His claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, but granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 12, 2003 for the grant of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, as it only manifests occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service due to a stressor involving the murder of a fellow service member, and credible supporting evidence has been provided.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms, while present and causing some impairment, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating from January 13, 1997 through May 10, 2001 or beginning on May 11, 2001.

The Board found no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressor, and thus denied service connection for PTSD with depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity and effects of the veteran's PTSD, including its impact on employment. The RO is instructed to schedule a new VA psychiatric examination for the veteran.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of recent medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a potential witness to the veteran's alleged sexual assault in service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and awarded a 10 percent evaluation for low back disability, effective September 8, 2003. Separate evaluations of 10 percent were also granted for right-sided and left-sided mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development to determine if the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The veteran's claims for service connection on the issues of residuals of a right shoulder injury, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss with vertigo are being remanded due to incomplete development.