PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his combat experiences and specifically the stressful event of his base being attacked. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD by a VA clinical psychologist.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability found, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and right forearm shell fragment wound are currently rated at the minimum levels. The Board finds that there is no evidence of secondary substance abuse or unemployability due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and skin cancer have been granted service connection. The PTSD is related to in-service stressors, while the skin cancer is linked to exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which was diagnosed posthumously. The cause of death listed on his death certificate is 'unknown natural causes,' but it is believed to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, ear infections resulting in hearing loss, and emphysema are granted. The reduction of the Veteran's bladder cancer rating is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, and his ulceration on the dorsum of the right foot does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus (10%). For his bilateral hearing loss, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no provision for separate 10% evaluations for each ear. His PTSD claims were also denied with respect to the period prior to June 29, 2006 and after that date, due to lack of evidence showing symptoms warranting such high ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD was incurred in service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service discharge was under other than honorable conditions, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since August 6, 1997 and at 70 percent from August 19, 2003. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted (PTSD) while others were denied (rating for PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection was not established as the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 29, 2008. The disability rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's diagnoses and whether his claimed in-service stressors are sufficient to support a PTSD diagnosis. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches (claimed as migraines) has been granted. However, his initial increased evaluation for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, with an initial evaluation of 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral eye disability, and PTSD. The claim for low back disability was also denied as there was no evidence to support its relationship with service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a review of the new version of VA regulations regarding service connection for PTSD and an examination to determine if any claimed stressors are verified or accepted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his PTSD is at least as likely as not attributable to his military service and specifically an in-service sexual assault. The claims for right and left inguinal hernia residuals are being remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with paranoid schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety, panic attacks and cognitive disorder (claimed as organic brain syndrome) is dismissed due to the finality of the December 2004 rating decision.