PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently manifested psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and variously diagnosed conditions such as dysthymia, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder, were incurred in service.

The Board dismissed the claim of eligibility for payment of legal fees from past-due benefits as it had no jurisdiction to consider such issues.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating, with symptoms currently resulting in definite social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of considerable social and industrial impairment, warranting an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has restored the veteran's 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, finding that there was actual material improvement in his condition prior to the reduction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, dorsal spine fractures, left knee disability, and left leg numbness. The evaluations assigned to these disabilities were found not to satisfy criteria for entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD from April 24, 2001, and an effective date of April 24, 2001, for service connection. The veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD was denied, and the RO found that there is no earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of a formal or informal claim prior to June 10, 1998.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and addressing issues related to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD, which he maintains is more disabling than currently evaluated. The RO must obtain the veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits records and VA outpatient treatment records to ensure a complete record before deciding the claim.

The veteran's depressive disorder with PTSD and anxiety is rated at 50 percent, effective from the original grant of service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and a higher initial disability rating. The appeal is pending further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is being remanded due to the need to consider a letter from his pastor.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations than those currently assigned, and that his employment situation did not meet the criteria for marginal employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development due to issues raised by the veteran's attorney and a change in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder required inpatient treatment and frequent outpatient therapy resulting in severe social and industrial impairment prior to August 1, 1996. The claim for a higher rating was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by severe symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, and difficulty in maintaining employment. The VA has determined that a 100% schedular rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed stressors, while possibly occurring during his service at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have not been verified as actual occurrences. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The appellant is now entitled to have his claim considered on its merits.