BVA Case 12-0798: Ptsd

The Court notes that the Board referred to the regional office (RO)the issues of (1)entitlement to service connection for tinnitus,to include secondary to a right auricular deformity;and (2)whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

In August 2004,the Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted an increased,initial rating of 10%for his ear injury and scars.

In August 2005,the Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for a mouth disorder and a left shoulder disorder.

In September 2006, the Board denied the appellant's motion for reconsideration,R.

In a March 2007 rating decision,the RO continued the appellant's 10%rating for his right auricle condition, denied service connection for PTSD, and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and a mouth injury.

Psychiatric Condition The parties agree that the Board erred in limiting the appellant's appeal to PTSD and not for any other psychiatric disorder.

PTSD The appellant argues that VA failed to fulfill its duty to assist because it did not obtain a medical opinion to verify his alleged stressors.

To support a claim of service connection for PTSD,a veteran must present evidence of (1) a current diagnosis of PTSD;(2)credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred;and (3)medical evidence of a causal nexus between the current symptomatology and the claimed in-service stressor.