PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of April 23, 2002 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and also denied his request to waive overpayment.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The VA also found that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor, and thus the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his request to reopen a previously denied claim of right ear hearing loss has been granted. The Board found that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and thus denied service connection for PTSD. However, new evidence related to the right ear hearing loss claim has been received.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating from August 1, 1971 through July 23, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions alone. The Board finds that he is capable of engaging in light and sedentary activities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain records from Dr. McClain, and the Veteran's psychiatric disorder including PTSD is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient findings in the VA examination report and the need for further development.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is due to his service-connected PTSD, but he does not meet the criteria for housebound benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and finds in favor of granting service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for recurrent dislocation and degenerative changes of the right shoulder, evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The case is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain all relevant treatment records. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hallux valgus with pes planus, and TDIU.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the award of a total rating for PTSD and for service connection for coronary artery disease. The original ratings were assigned in December 2002 and November 2003, respectively, and are considered final.,The Veteran's claims for these earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to lack of legal entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and dental trauma were denied as there is insufficient evidence to support the diagnoses or a causal relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and SSA records, and for consideration of staged ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The appellant's TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 8, 2010 and was denied an increased rating from that date forward.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's first period of service in Vietnam, finding that his stressors are established and that his PTSD is related to this service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to non-compliance with prior remand orders, including obtaining service treatment records and addressing the Veteran's claims of PTSD and TBI.