PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the veteran's claim of in-service personal assault, which would be required for service connection for PTSD. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorder are due to a verified in-service stressor of sexual assault during her time in service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors, and thus failed to meet one essential criterion required by VA regulations.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his PTSD, finding that it only warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current medical diagnosis. The VA examiner found no evidence of PTSD and diagnosed the veteran with mood disorder instead. For his hypertensive cardiovascular disease, the rating assigned prior to June 21, 2007, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Effective from June 21, 2007, the veteran's disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right wrist disability, PTSD, and left wrist disability due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and other issues needing clarification.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the requirement of having been rated at a 100% disability level for ten or more years prior to his death. Therefore, DIC benefits are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and also denied his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current PTSD is of service origin and grants service connection for PTSD.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for post-traumatic stress disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The VA found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating, and his employment issues were attributed to physical health problems rather than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, is service-connected. The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis in accordance with VA regulations. However, the claim for Bipolar Disorder was granted as it preexisted service.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant a rating of 70 percent under DC 9411.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating, which is higher than the current 50 percent assigned. The decision grants this increased evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and depression or dysthymic disorder, finding no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for drug addiction is granted, but hepatitis C remains not established.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or verified combat experience. The VA medical records did not show current diagnoses of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher initial evaluation of his PTSD, which was initially rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct another VA examination.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, GERD, hypertension, and IBS are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the sufficiency of the claimed stressors in support of his PTSD claim.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in areas such as work, personal relations, and mood prior to February 26, 2001. From February 26, 2001, forward, the criteria for a 100 percent rating for PTSD have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran has a right shoulder disorder or PTSD related to service.