PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, but he received an initial compensable rating (10%) for his hernia residuals prior to June 24, 2008. His claim for a higher rating for the same hernia after that date was also denied.

The Board has determined that further action is required to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and to obtain all relevant medical records. The claims for service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disability other than PTSD are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran currently has no worse than Level VI hearing acuity in his right ear and no worse than Level V hearing acuity in his left ear, which reflects the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and determine his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor related to an alleged sexual assault. The claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to the denial of the primary issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to issues raised by the Court's Order, including the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD was granted, with the effective date being January 18, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee scar, arthritis of the pelvic bones, and shin splints were denied. The Board found that there was no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic/depressive disorder), head trauma residuals, or hypertension in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are related to his fear of hostile military activity and have been found consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. The VA psychologist diagnosed the Veteran with PTSD based on these reported stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the claims. The dental and eye conditions are not considered compensable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 11, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating than what was initially assigned.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including verifying stressor events and obtaining service personnel records. The VA will also schedule examinations to address the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability and hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to corroborate a claimed stressor. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and compression fracture injury to the lumbar spine are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressors are related to his fear associated with exposure to hostile forces during service in southeast Asia and that he has been diagnosed as having PTSD due to these experiences.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and a mood disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), has been productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to symptoms such as depression, sleep impairment, concentration issues, and mild memory impairment. The current 30 percent rating is appropriate given the level of impairment.