PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as his claimed in-service stressors could not be verified and he did not engage in combat with the enemy. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking his current PTSD to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records, scheduling a new examination, and considering whether to assign staged ratings.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the appellant's claimed stressors and determine if service connection for PTSD can be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors and the diagnosis of PTSD was not linked to any confirmed events during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 70 percent effective from May 4, 2004.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in regards to the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for verification of any verified stressor and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed, including verifying stressors and obtaining missing service personnel files.

The Veteran's PTSD before September 7, 2006 was rated at 50 percent and after December 1, 2006 was rated at 70 percent. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining Vet Center records from July 2005 onward, is necessary before the claim can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, effective from May 23, 2005. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's PTSD more closely approximates the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to December 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in a 50 percent rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent under the direct service connection theory. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder other than PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The effective date remains August 31, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its analysis regarding the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders present (including PTSD) and a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right ear hearing loss. The issues on appeal are whether service connection should be granted for hearing loss in the right ear and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent from March 31, 2003, through September 15, 2008; and increased to 50 percent effective September 16, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including a nervous disorder and major depression, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and limitation of motion are currently rated at 60 percent, effective March 21, 2000. The claim for an earlier effective date is granted.