PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD that is related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his PTSD, which was initially rated at 70 percent disabling from March 13, 2000. The evidence showed that the veteran had minimal eye contact and stuttering speech, with nightmares occurring two to three times per month.

The veteran's loss of use of a hand or foot is not due to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a hand or foot.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 8, 2004. The effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, impaired impulse control, anger and irritability, anxiety, infrequent panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, memory problems, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty establishing work relationships. The VA has granted service connection for the condition but only assigned a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran was exposed to a verified stressor during his service in Korea. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is remanded as the RO must assign a disability evaluation and effective date before the Board can consider this issue.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left radial nerve injury, PTSD, and gunshot wound residuals, have made him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU benefit.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a disability rating of 70 percent. The initial ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound of the right neck and upper lip remain at 30 percent.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for chronic lumbosacral strain from 40% to 10%, effective November 1, 2004, was proper. The veteran's PTSD and IBS were also addressed with increased ratings.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. His epilepsy remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a left testicle hydrocele due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a right leg disorder due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor and insufficient medical evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD. The RO has not obtained all relevant VA treatment records, including those from the Brockton VAMC and Vet Center. The case is REMANDED to obtain these records.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.