PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective May 20, 1998 and assigned a 30 percent rating. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors for PTSD. The veteran must provide additional information or evidence to support his claims, and VA will attempt to verify these stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a search by JSRRC and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from December 17, 2003. He was granted a compensable rating for his fracture of the left fifth metacarpal and callous formation at the left first metacarpal. The claims to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to military service and denied both his claim for PTSD and his attempt to reopen a previously denied psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that the veteran experienced a qualifying stressor during his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a new diagnosis or provide material information to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hearing loss, but has reopened his claim for service connection of hearing loss based on new evidence. The decision also addressed issues related to tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, ensuring compliance with provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 3.304(f) regarding personal assault claims, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment. The current 70 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical records and attempting to corroborate his claimed stressors. The case is being remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's claimed stressor events and for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD effective June 19, 2003, based on the veteran's severe impairment from his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, can be adjudicated.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of a verified in-service stressor and insufficient medical evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records, verify the veteran's claimed assault, and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date of May 26, 2004, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for post-traumatic stress disorder.