PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected conditions, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 30 percent prior to May 8, 2003; 50 percent from May 8, 2003 through December 9, 2003; and 70 percent from December 10, 2003 through October 25, 2005.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors have been sufficiently corroborated, and his PTSD is linked to these events. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine if the veteran suffers from PTSD as a result of verified service stressor(s).

The case is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The veteran's claims for PTSD and a right knee disability will be reviewed again based on this new information.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the next higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, depression, irritability, and dysphoric mood.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining her complete service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to May 29, 2003 or from May 29, 2003 onwards.

The veteran's claims for an increased initial rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU rating are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence indicating possible need for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an earlier effective date for his disability evaluation for left knee injury. The denial was based on insufficient evidence to verify the veteran's in-service stressors.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his chronic alcohol abuse is a separate condition and the VA compensation examiner determined he could work due to other factors such as a civilian-related ankle injury. The combined rating of his service-connected conditions does not meet the threshold for a TDIU.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional records and conduct a VA examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to new evidence, but denied service connection as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and her claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to severe difficulty in maintaining employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. The issue of entitlement to service connection for concussion with residual headaches was withdrawn by the veteran.