PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD should be February 5, 1996.

The Board has determined that the current medical evidence is not sufficiently detailed to evaluate the severity of the veteran's service-connected PTSD. Therefore, a new psychiatric examination should be undertaken to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating of her service-connected PTSD has been granted, with the disability rated at 30 percent effective from July 8, 1998. The RO is instructed to schedule an examination and consider additional evidence before re-adjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD must be remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including verification of claimed stressors.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder and assigned a 50% evaluation, effective from June 30, 1997. The appellant's claim of an earlier effective date is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA psychiatric examination to assess the impact of his PTSD on his employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The RO previously granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD effective from May 18, 1999.

The Board has determined that additional psychiatric examination is needed to determine the current level of the veteran's PTSD, and the claim will be remanded for this purpose. The RO must also ensure compliance with all legal requirements regarding the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes, finding no competent evidence of current disabilities or that any in-service stressors occurred.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence was cumulative of what existed at the time of the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting and incomplete evidence regarding the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is attributable to incidents during military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as a result of his wartime experiences in Vietnam. The low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms were characterized by considerable social and industrial impairment.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for this rating based on severe occupational and social impairment.

The VA has assigned a 30 percent initial rating for the veteran's PTSD, which is characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks (weekly or less often), and chronic sleep impairment.

The Board has granted a total schedular rating for PTSD, which meets the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The veteran is also eligible for Class IV VA outpatient dental treatment due to his service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development of his medical records and an additional VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appeal for DIC benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.