PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the Board found that there is no credible evidence of an in-service personal assault, and therefore, the stressor cannot be corroborated. The Veteran had disciplinary problems prior to any alleged incident, and his account of the incident changed over time.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective August 25, 2008.

The Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there were no credible combat stressors reported. Claims for variously claimed cancers, including prostate cancer and kidney cancer, were also denied due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, and the Board affirms this rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and tinnitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to September 7, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's PTSD produces nightmares, sleep disturbance, social avoidance and depression. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for a shrapnel wound and denied an increased rating for PTSD and anxiety reaction with hysterical trends, finding no evidence of a shrapnel wound in service and noting that the Veteran's current symptoms are not due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a respiratory disability were denied as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service events that would support the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a right knee condition and back condition secondary to the right knee condition are granted. The Veteran's PTSD meets criteria for a 30 percent rating based on symptomatology such as nightmares, chronic sleeping problems, hypervigilance, moderate depression, anger and irritability, avoidant behavior, impaired short term and long term memory, exaggerated startle response, intrusive thoughts, and past suicidal ideation. The Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was aggravated by military service. A back condition did not originate in service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for melanomas of the neck and arms due to herbicide exposure. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 15, 2005. The claim for an earlier effective date was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability associated with her claimed conditions, and therefore, she cannot establish service connection for any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD in conformity with the DSM-IV. The Board also found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for a dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues was granted, with the exception of right knee disability which was withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD and tinnitus due to his active duty service.