PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating from April 7, 1993 to April 25, 1996. The veteran is seeking an increased rating for PTSD beyond this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and need to review different theories of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 29, 1996, for a 100% rating for service-connected PTSD. The earliest ascertainable date of increase in disability due to PTSD was not before February 29, 1996.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was timely filed, and the RO denied this claim. The veteran received a statement of the case in September 1998, requested an extension to file his substantive appeal, which was granted by the RO, but not communicated to him personally. His substantive appeal was received within the extended time frame.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in March 1993. The RO then reopened the claim based on new and material evidence, and granted service connection for PTSD.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no verified combat experience and no credible stressors during his military service. The Board also noted that the veteran had not provided sufficient details to verify any claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the veteran's treatment for PTSD prior to March 1998 and obtaining copies of notes made in conjunction with his claim. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD will be determined based on the new evidence provided.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD prior to June 8, 1998 and denied any rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD as of July 1, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound, and entitlement to a total disability evaluation due to service-connected disability prior to June 20, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent, indicating total occupational and social impairment. Service connection for hypothyroidism and cancer/polyps of the throat are granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of a current medical diagnosis and because the veteran did not have evidence of a disability resulting from combat.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and procedures introduced by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder will be further developed, including verifying claimed in-service stressors.

The veteran's PTSD disability rating is currently at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to evaluate his current level of impairment due to incarceration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acne of the posterolateral neck warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from April 28, 1998. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to an in-service sexual assault, and thus grants the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his stress fracture of the right heel, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, based on new and material evidence. The case will be remanded to obtain additional information regarding in-service stressors.