PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The diabetes mellitus claim remains pending and will also be remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the extent of concentration and memory loss attributable to PTSD, as well as assess the veteran's employability due to his service-connected disability. The case will be remanded for further action.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 2, 1992, for the grant of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found no evidence showing that the veteran's service-connected PTSD had caused a significant increase in his disability status within one year before the claim was received.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and also claims individual unemployability due to PTSD. The case must be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not received to complete an appeal from the April 1997 rating decision that found new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim of PTSD.

The veteran's death was caused by a drug overdose due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the cause of death is related to the veteran's service-connected condition and grants DIC benefits.

The veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and headache disabilities were granted increased ratings. The PTSD rating was also granted, but the left corneal scar did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% from September 24, 1991 to October 31, 1995. The rating was later increased to 30% effective April 10, 1992.

The veteran's initial 10 percent rating for PTSD prior to November 7, 1996 is upheld. A subsequent 30 percent rating for PTSD effective from November 7, 1996 remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and major depression, as well as his request for an effective date prior to September 13, 1994, for service connection of tinnitus.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the RO's May 1995 rating action.

The March 1993 rating decision for a 30 percent disability rating for bullous emphysema was upheld, and the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU was granted with April 23, 1987 as the effective date.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and will be considered on its merits. The case was remanded to obtain more information about the veteran's in-service stressors, including his unit assignment during his tour in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and procedural issues.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case is being remanded due to issues related to verifying alleged stressors and determining whether PTSD can be diagnosed based on these events.

The veteran's death was caused by septic shock, nephrectomy, and renal cell carcinoma. The RO is instructed to contact the appellant for any missing VA medical records from his treatment at a Philadelphia VA facility, including those from April 19-29, 1995, which may be relevant to the cause of death.

The veteran's PTSD is causing total occupational and social impairment, including frequent suicidal thoughts, carrying a firearm, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and difficulty in maintaining relationships. This warrants the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a nervous condition, including PTSD. The evidence did not show that the veteran had a psychiatric disorder related to his service.