PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information regarding the veteran's claimed stressful experiences during service and for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and psychiatric conditions. A VA examination is needed to determine if a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection on all issues except tinnitus were denied. The maximum disability rating of 10% for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, rash and lumps on the body, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder. The appeal regarding hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant during his hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is productive of total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating. The right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent as well.

The veteran's claim for Hepatitis C was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition. The VA found that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, but granted a 10% disability rating.

The case is being remanded for further development of the veteran's claims, including verification of his claimed stressors and a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and potential errors in previous decisions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms were adequately addressed by a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent, effective January 11, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of chronic back injury residuals. The bilateral foot disorder was not shown to have started in service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to support a current diagnosis of PTSD or maxillary sinusitis with right frontal sinus osteoma and headaches.

The Board finds that the veteran's lower back disability, including arthritis, cervical degenerative joint disease, and left foot swelling were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found that PTSD was not attributable to service.,PTSD is a chronic disease to which the presumptive provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) do not apply.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, psychosis, and depression due to lack of credible supporting evidence for in-service stressors and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's statements regarding his stressors are consistent with the circumstances, conditions, and hardships of his service. Therefore, all three elements for service connection for PTSD have been met, and the claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no corroborated in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,For bilateral pes planus, the veteran's disability is not rated higher than 10 percent as there is no objective evidence of severe flatfoot with marked deformity or swelling on use.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities result in him needing regular aid and assistance.