PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of combat exposure are corroborated by credible supporting evidence, and PTSD was incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his service and that any psychiatric disorder is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU has also been denied as there is no evidence showing he is unemployable.

The Board granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD and assigned an effective date of February 18, 1997. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 60 percent in combination, but do not render him individually unemployable.

The Board found that the veteran was not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD, as he could dress himself, take care of his basic needs, and attend to his wants without assistance. The appellant's contention that he required constant care was not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia and major depression, is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis or other conditions claimed, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these issues. The claims are denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no prior pending claim or informal claim before December 16, 1992.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current symptoms are related to his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and remands the case for further development, including a VA examination if verified stressors are found.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus his lay testimony alone was insufficient to establish the occurrence of the alleged stressors. The evidence does not support a finding that PTSD is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to military sexual trauma.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, as they are mild and do not cause intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent, based on his symptoms and their impact on occupational and social functioning.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the February 1983 denial of service connection for PTSD became final and binding on him, and he did not appeal. The earliest possible effective date is October 24, 1995.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of a seizure disorder, degenerative joint disease of the spine, hypertension, skin disorder, eye disorder, organic brain syndrome, PTSD, hypothyroidism, hyperuricism, or disorders of the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, hips, legs, thighs, knees, ankles, feet, and toes that were incurred in service. The veteran is already receiving a 10% rating for tinnitus.

The Board found insufficient evidence to support the veteran's claim of PTSD due to an alleged sexual assault during service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms are consistent with combat exposure and a diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection for PCT is remanded due to lack of evidence within one year of presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's PTSD with depression has caused him to be unemployable and severely impaired in his ability to establish or maintain effective relationships, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is being remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding effective dates, and further development may be required.