PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of verified stressor and insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the lowest possible rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board found that his disability picture did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee with degenerative joint disease were denied. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding these issues.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence had been received. However, it was determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD related to a verified in-service stressor event.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor or a current disability.

The Veteran died from metastatic esophageal cancer. The cause of death is disputed, as the Appellant-widow argues that his PTSD contributed to his condition. The Board has requested a medical opinion on this issue and also needs additional evidence regarding the biopsy report.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The remaining claims for low back condition, neck condition, headaches, and cold weather injury affecting the bilateral hands are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board noted that the lumbar spine strain was rated as 20 percent disabling, right knee disability as 10 percent disabling, and left knee disability as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations and mood. The RO has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The July 2005 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD and combining it with the Veteran's service connected generalized anxiety disorder with schizophrenia was not found to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic sinus disorder need further examination and evidence collection to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any identified psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to service, including considering whether a pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acne, bilateral foot pain, high cholesterol, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The claim for service connection for acne was previously denied due to it being a preexisting condition not aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his kidney disability due to herbicide exposure, as there is no evidence linking it to such exposure or any other theory of entitlement. For PTSD, additional VA examination and treatment records are needed before the claim can be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 15, 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran exhibits significant occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, nightmares, suicidal ideation, social avoidance, irritability, impaired impulse control, near continuous depression, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, and the Board finds that he also meets the criteria for service connection of schizophrenia based on his in-service stressors. The claim for schizophrenia is being remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 9, 2007. The evidence shows that the disability picture more closely approximates severe occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent for the period prior to November 19, 2009; 50 percent from November 19, 2009 to May 16, 2010; and 70 percent beginning May 17, 2010. The appeal is denied as the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded to allow for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.