PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or depression as a result of service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors, and thus, the criteria for establishing service connection were not met.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective December 7, 2003. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the claim was received on March 17, 2004, and thus the earliest possible effective date is March 17, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the veteran's reported stressors and obtain relevant unit histories, as well as schedule him for a VA psychiatric examination. The appeal will be remanded until these steps are completed.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and the initial rating for left wrist fracture with degenerative joint disease. The veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to post-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

Before September 19, 2005, the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.,From September 19, 2005, the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA, as well as arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and service connection for PTSD. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his left knee condition, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his PTSD symptoms and his military service.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from July 24, 2002 through September 18, 2002. From September 19, 2002 to October 10, 2006, the rating remained at 30 percent. From October 11, 2006 to February 26, 2007 and from May 1, 2007, the veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of medical evidence supporting his assertions.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of significant disability, with symptoms such as anger and aggression, avoidance behavior, mild paranoia, associated depression and dysphoria which impair judgment and mood. The Board has determined that a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 26, 2002, for a grant of TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not show that the veteran was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the November 1997 denial is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD.