PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's depression is caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The claims for PTSD, a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29, and for a higher initial evaluation of the right knee disorder are withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD related to an in-service stressor. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a perforated left eardrum and bilateral hearing loss are not rated higher than noncompensable.,Service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for this disability. The evidence does not show that his symptoms are severe enough to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, and the Board finds that his impairment more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing, additional records from the Detroit VA Medical Center, and a new examination. The appeal will be handled by the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board is remanding the case due to a request for a travel board hearing, and no new evidence or changes in service connection theory have been provided.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective May 15, 2007. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and chronic low back pain prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has found that the effective date for service connection of PTSD should be April 1, 1989. The issue of an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there was no communication or action indicating intent to apply for benefits prior to September 27, 1999.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient basis for denying service connection for PTSD and because of the need to verify certain stressors. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD related to verified stressors during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and credible supporting evidence confirms the occurrence of in-service stressors. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from March 3, 2004 to September 19, 2007 and for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from September 20, 2007 to the present.

The Veteran's claimed PTSD was not found to be service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting combat participation and uncorroborated stressors.