PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective April 21, 1997. The veteran's Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, also effective April 21, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the veteran's claimed in-service stressor and a need for further examination. The veteran is asked to provide more details about his alleged service stressors, which will be used by VA to attempt verification.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and thus denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The veteran's symptoms for PTSD do not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD claim is still pending and requires further evaluation due to a recent hearing where he reported worsening symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran did not provide sufficient information regarding his claimed in-service stressors to verify their occurrence, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at June 29, 2006. The TDIU claim is also granted from May 20, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate in-service stressors and determine service connection for psychiatric disorders, head injury residuals, and other conditions.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim remains pending as it does not meet the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, results in severe occupational impairment with deficiencies in judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a back injury and PTSD are granted, with the presumption of service connection due to combat involvement in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hepatitis C, left knee disability, or psychiatric disability (including PTSD). The veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied as it did not manifest until many years after service. Service connection for the other conditions was also denied due to lack of competent evidence linking them to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and PTSD as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active military service, and the stressors claimed for PTSD have not been verified.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains on hold.