PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective April 6, 2001 due to the grant of service connection for PTSD at that time. The earlier effective date is upheld.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed inservice stressful experiences have not been corroborated by available service records or other credible supporting evidence, and thus did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD with anxiety neurosis has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of PTSD and TDIU, finding that no factual ascertainability occurred within one year prior to October 23, 2003.

The veteran's claims for an initial schedular rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and effective dates earlier than January 26, 2001, for service connection and TDIU were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he did not meet the regulatory requirements for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus could not establish his entitlement to this disability.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for tinea cruris, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for a neurological disorder due to Gulf War exposure were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or a current neurological disorder related to Gulf War service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure was denied, and his TDIU rating prior to January 7, 2005, was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 13, 2003 for a 100 percent disability rating for chronic brain injury and for service connection of hepatitis C. The veteran was granted a 20 percent initial disability rating for his hepatitis C.,The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has ordered the VA to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and schedule him for a psychiatric examination. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which may be related to his experiences in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to his current deployment. He needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the lump on his right hand, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 30 percent rating, effective June 24, 2005. The claim for bilateral otitis externa remains denied and the claim for service connection of a skin disability due to herbicide exposure is reopened but not yet decided.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical care and services rendered at the Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital on December 10, 2004 is granted due to his service-connected disabilities and the nature of the emergency.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and granted a 60 percent rating effective July 26, 2000. The increased rating for DDD with low back pain and radiculopathy remains at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notice and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service due to a lack of corroborating evidence for his claimed in-service rape.