PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to incomplete VA medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 15, 1993 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no information or evidence prior to December 15, 1993 that could be construed as a claim for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to inadequate notice regarding personal assault stressors and insufficient verification of the claimed events.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hydrocephalus, and headaches. The denial was based on a finding that there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to his claimed PTSD symptoms.

The Board found that the earliest date ascertained for the veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was July 12, 2001. The effective date of TDIU benefits is set at this date.

PTSD was not initially service-connected, but granted with a 50% evaluation effective from January 15, 1998.,PTSD has been rated at 70% since March 31, 2004. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU was denied.

The veteran's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of having a service-connected disability rated at 100% total disabling for at least 10 years prior to death or continuously rated as totally disabled for five years immediately preceding death. The claim for accrued benefits was also denied due to lack of evidence indicating intent on the part of the veteran to apply for compensation after the March 1991 rating decision.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for a schedular TDIU due to his combined rating of 40 percent. The Board found that the veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and thus, TDIU benefits are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for sensitive teeth. The decision also noted that his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied. The appeals for higher ratings were deemed 'unknown' as they are not part of the appeal process.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for issuance of an SOC addressing the claims of entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 21, 1995, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The AMC should also notify the veteran of the 'old' rating criteria and readjudicate the appellant's claim for increased ratings under both 'old' and 'new' rating criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or PTSD as a result of his military service.,Specifically, the VA found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD or hypertension due to service, and thus denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the RO adjudicates a prostate cancer claim.

The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted, but he is seeking a higher initial rating. The VA has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as related to his service, and he is awarded a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is also granted.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, PTSD, and essential tremors of both hands due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed stressors related to combat.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening her hypertension and PTSD service connection claims, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the hypertension claim and concluding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between PTSD and service.