PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has ordered the RO to fulfill its duty to assist by requesting additional evidence to corroborate the veteran's alleged inservice stressors. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran did not engage in combat and credible evidence of stressors was lacking. The case is being remanded to allow further development including a comprehensive medical examination and consideration of whether the veteran experienced any stressful events while on active duty.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a waiver of his National Life Insurance (NSLI) premiums, finding that there were no circumstances beyond his control preventing him from filing a claim prior to March 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for more recent VA treatment records.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her herniated disc at L5 with degenerative changes was granted, and she is currently rated at 40 percent. The claim for a higher initial rating for post-traumatic stress disorder remains pending as the issue of reopening service connection for PTSD due to new evidence has been resolved in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected neuropsychiatric disability, including post concussion syndrome, chronic brain syndrome associated with trauma to the brain, panic disorder, schizophrenia, headaches, dizziness, and PTSD, is now rated at 100 percent effective from September 21, 1989.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of PTSD, rated at 70 percent from February 9, 1998, was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The cause of death was terminal lung cancer, which is unrelated to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on new evidence submitted by the appellant. The veteran's participation in Operation Greenhouse nuclear testing and exposure to first-degree burns from his boat fire are considered relevant factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has PTSD, which is linked to in-service combat experience and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other legal requirements.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in a demonstrable inability to retain employment throughout the evaluation period, and thus warrants a 100 percent rating effective from November 30, 1988.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from February 7, 1995 to November 6, 1996. Since then, the rating has remained at 50 percent under both old and new criteria.

The veteran's appeal to reduce the disability evaluation of his service-connected PTSD from 70 percent to non-compensable was not timely filed, and therefore the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider this issue.

[object Object]

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headache, duodenal ulcer, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. The veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time limits.

The Board has granted a 70% evaluation for PTSD from November 26, 1996 and has found that the veteran is unemployable due to service-connected PTSD. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is no clear diagnosis of PTSD in his records. The RO must consider this case under the new version of the regulation effective from March 7, 1997. Additionally, the veteran should be given an opportunity to provide additional information regarding stressors and appropriate means should be taken to verify them.