PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to December 13, 2005. After that date, his rating was increased to 50%. The current effective date is August 1999.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from 1968-1978, complete service personnel records, information about combat stressors, and Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy was denied.,Service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain was granted with an effective date of March 18, 2002. The veteran requested an earlier effective date but the appeal is not on this issue.,The veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to January 25, 2006 and increased to 70 percent on that date. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is not causally or etiologically related to service and has not been attributed to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for a back disorder and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and post-traumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for proper notice, additional development of SSA records, and VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that his adjustment disorder is related to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for secondary service connection for the diarrhea condition was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to combat exposure during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. Total occupational and social impairment has not been shown.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for an in-service stressor, and as he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The veteran's service includes work as a nurse in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be December 23, 1980, with a 100% rating from that date.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed PTSD is not related to a verified in-service stressor and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed stressor events.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified non-combat stressor.

The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and determining the current severity of service-connected conditions.