PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 1, 2002, for the grant of service connection for PTSD requires additional notice under the VCAA. The case is being remanded to provide this necessary notification.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 2, 2001 for service connection and a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD. The Board found that there was no medical or other evidence showing an informal claim within one year of discharge from active service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a skin condition, and service connection for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have hearing acuity worse than Level I in either ear, and his skin condition was not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a neck injury incurred in service and denied his claim for this condition. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses, finding that the services provided were not for a medical emergency and that VA facilities were feasibly available.

The VA has already assigned a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The evidence does not support an increase in this evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to insufficient information provided by the veteran regarding his in-service stressors. The claims of service connection for impotence, bladder and kidney disease (claimed as nocturia and urinary frequency), and gastrointestinal disability (GERD) are also denied as there is no evidence supporting a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and need for further examination of his conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and a 100% rating for PTSD, as well as initial ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain. The effective date for the grant of service connection was set at September 26, 1996.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective June 6, 1998 and granted TDIU effective September 1, 1999. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his symptoms are more likely than not related to traumatic events he experienced during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective May 1, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence of a stressor event in service, and thus the claim for service connection must be denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for asbestosis. The veteran does not have a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure in service, and there is no evidence supporting his claim for service connection for asbestosis.

The veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 50 percent prior to March 8, 2007; and 100 percent from that date.