PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, and the Board affirms this rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and tinnitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to September 7, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's PTSD produces nightmares, sleep disturbance, social avoidance and depression. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for a shrapnel wound and denied an increased rating for PTSD and anxiety reaction with hysterical trends, finding no evidence of a shrapnel wound in service and noting that the Veteran's current symptoms are not due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a respiratory disability were denied as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service events that would support the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a right knee condition and back condition secondary to the right knee condition are granted. The Veteran's PTSD meets criteria for a 30 percent rating based on symptomatology such as nightmares, chronic sleeping problems, hypervigilance, moderate depression, anger and irritability, avoidant behavior, impaired short term and long term memory, exaggerated startle response, intrusive thoughts, and past suicidal ideation. The Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was aggravated by military service. A back condition did not originate in service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for melanomas of the neck and arms due to herbicide exposure. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 15, 2005. The claim for an earlier effective date was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability associated with her claimed conditions, and therefore, she cannot establish service connection for any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD in conformity with the DSM-IV. The Board also found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for a dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues was granted, with the exception of right knee disability which was withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD and tinnitus due to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 30% rating effective November 21, 2005. In March 2009, the VA increased his disability rating to 50%, effective from the original date of claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, right and left knee disabilities, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's reported stressor was found not to have occurred, her current knee and shoulder disabilities were not linked to service, and her immersion syndrome in service is considered the earliest manifestation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial evaluation of PTSD and service connection for hypertension and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the December 1991 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of service connection for PTSD cannot be reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, leading to a 30 percent evaluation effective from September 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination closer to his residence and obtaining recent medical records from the Boise facility. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.