PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective October 1, 2006.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 50 percent rating due to moderate effects on social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is likely due to exposure to traumatic events during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria set forth in the Rating Schedule.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD effective from April 5, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms are mild or transient and do not cause significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD but assigned a noncompensable initial evaluation, finding that the veteran's PTSD has been manifested by social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to impairments in motivation and mood.

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

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to determine the current level of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability. The RO/AMC will also request Social Security Administration (SSA) records, conduct a social worker survey, and obtain private medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Faxton-St. Lukes Healthcare on January 3, 2006, under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder was granted at a 30 percent disability evaluation, and an additional 20 percent rating was assigned for his thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee and lower extremity disabilities were each rated at 10 percent initially.

The Board found no current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and denied the claim. For gynecological disability, there is insufficient evidence to establish a continuity of symptomatology or service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and his service-connected scars were denied. The RO assigned a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective September 13, 2006, and separate 10 percent evaluations for the scars of each foot, thigh, right elbow, and right buttock.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current valid diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it, as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural and evidentiary defects, including failure to obtain Social Security Administration records and VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and PTSD. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of death on a secondary basis and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a pulmonary disability, skin cancer, or a left toe disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.