PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Psoriasis due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, as well as insufficient medical evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The veteran's PTSD was not manifested by severely impaired ability to establish and maintain effective or favorable relationships with people prior to October 6, 1995. Therefore, the claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent from February 27, 2004 to November 7, 2004 and found insufficient evidence to warrant a rating higher than 50 percent since November 8, 2004.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder, as the additional medical evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between any current psychiatric disorders and service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus based on herbicide exposure are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the bilateral knees, residuals of asbestos exposure, and tinea pedis were all denied. The Board found no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and assigned a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD. The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting the current 30 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence showing that a formal claim was filed prior to February 4, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran is likely to have PTSD due to traumatic experiences in service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The VA Board has determined that the appellant does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence to support service connection for prostate disorder or bilateral knee disorder. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective January 16, 2003 and has determined that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD due to his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional verification of claimed stressors and further examination by a psychiatrist.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and service connection for alcohol abuse/dependence, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The VA found insufficient evidence to support a secondary relationship between his service-connected PTSD and these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and a 50% disability rating was assigned. The effective date is February 9, 2004.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant is also asked to provide more detailed information about alleged in-service events that may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is remanded for further development.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent effective September 2004. The evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritic changes of the right shoulder, myofascial dysfunction of the left posterior shoulder girdle, and scar on the forehead remain at their current levels.