PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed in-service stressors, and because he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, hypertension, and IBS. The initial evaluations were assigned based on the severity of each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and PTSD due to insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease, as well as lack of credible supporting evidence for claimed stressors.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, dysthymia, anxiety and/or PTSD, is found to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of active military service and denied his claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition is remanded due to procedural defects.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's PTSD is service-connected.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 17, 2004.,From February 17, 2004, the veteran's PTSD has been productive of disability compatible with no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board found that the appellant's son, EC, was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to his eighteenth birthday and thus could not be recognized as a helpless child.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his bilateral high frequency hearing loss is rated at 30 percent. The effective date for the total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been set as September 6, 2002.,PTSD was granted with a 70 percent initial evaluation, while hearing loss received a 30 percent initial evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service and there is no evidence of a stressful incident. The VA has not been able to establish a link between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with PTSD traits or alternatively PTSD, requires additional development of evidence. Specifically, the RO must obtain medical records from his service and any other relevant sources, clarify diagnoses, and determine if stressors occurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and TDIU, both effective from May 21, 2002. The veteran's claim was reopened on May 21, 2002, which is the earliest date allowable under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating, effective from October 2003. The RO has granted an increased evaluation to reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder is not due to service or Agent Orange exposure, and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of an in-service physical assault and its impact on the veteran's current psychiatric condition. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and provide the veteran with another opportunity to submit information and/or evidence.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his military service and there is no evidence of a verified stressor or stressors experienced during his brief period of service. Therefore, the claim for PTSD was denied as it cannot be established that the current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and headaches due to a service-connected scar of the right eye were denied as there was no confirmed stressor in service for PTSD, and his scar did not cause or aggravate his headaches.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 30, 1998 was granted and he is now entitled to a 50 percent rating for PTSD as of that date.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current symptomatology.