PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and PTSD due to the lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 7, 1994 for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are denied.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and the VA will presume that the diagnosis was made in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The RO should schedule a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his psychiatric disability, including identifying any stressors supporting the diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. Huabert, and clarification of whether he is the same person as Dr. Juarbe-Ortiz.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a personal hearing before a member of the Board sitting at the Phoenix, Arizona, Regional Office. The veteran should be scheduled for this hearing as soon as feasible.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of staged ratings and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder remains pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic headache disability.,PTSD was not granted due to the lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred. The veteran has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which may be related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for any psychiatric disorders, headaches, tinnitus, neck and back disabilities, or muscle spasms.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a result of his wartime experiences in Vietnam and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for post-traumatic stress disorder prior to March 10, 1986.

The Board found the veteran's testimony credible and concluded that his failure to report employment was due to a mistaken belief in its marginal nature, thus not constituting fraud. As such, the TDIU rating was restored.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder, which is total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well-grounded, and the Board finds that additional development of evidence is required before a final disposition can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and dementia do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they result in significant but not total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to severe impairment in his ability to work and maintain social relationships, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no verified in-service stressor and the diagnoses of PTSD were not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a total schedular rating, affecting his pension evaluation. The case is being remanded to consider the impact on pension benefits.