PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to June 2, 1997. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's testimony at a hearing before a Decision Review Officer in June 2008, combined with the newly received lay statement corroborating his account of witnessing the death of a POW, is sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30% and the claim for an increased rating has been denied. The effective date for the 10% evaluation of scars on the right elbow and shoulder remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder. This includes obtaining all of the Veteran's service personnel records, providing him with another VA examination, and determining whether any of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships throughout the course of this claim. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating for PTSD has been met.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD from December 18, 1991 to May 25, 1992 is denied as service connection was not in effect prior to May 26, 1992.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The right knee disability claim is pending in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 12, 2005. The Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, low back disorder, disability manifested by pain in legs and feet, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities as claimed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100 percent, resulting in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the tinnitus granted based on in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis conforming to the DSM-IV in accordance with VA regulations. The Veteran reported killing a Korean national, but this does not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and recurrent major depressive disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since December 21, 2002.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are not related to his military service, including his reported stressful experiences in Kosovo. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not meet the DSM-IV definition of PTSD and that his diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and his bronchitis claim was denied. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board granted an effective date of May 26, 1992 for a 70% evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's intent to file a claim prior to this date was not established.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence establishing the occurrence of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and PTSD. The right knee disability is related to INACDUTRA service in 1993-1995. Obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active duty service. PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.