PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including stressor verification and medical evaluations.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective as of the date of the decision. The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also concludes that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy or have a confirmed inservice stressor, and thus cannot establish service connection based on such. However, the Board determines that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective February 11, 2000, based on the severity of symptoms including suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting independent functioning, impaired impulse control, unprovoked irritability, periods of violence, occasional neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD, as well as other psychiatric disorders. The veteran's claims will be adjudicated together.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft with hypertension secondary to PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and social survey. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an effective date prior to April 25, 1990 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD is warranted under Karnas v. Derwinski and applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, concluding that the veteran's claimed stressor did not actually occur during his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 19, 1994 for the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and has determined that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied. The claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD was granted and the current rating of 70% is maintained.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment since August 18, 1992, and the VA has granted a 100 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a comprehensive examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disorder, claimed as residuals of a shell fragment wound, was reopened and granted. The initial rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent. Increased ratings were also granted for the veteran's service-connected injuries to his ankle, shoulder, thigh and leg, chest and back, and head.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 23, 1993, for a grant of service connection for PTSD. The earliest evidence of record reflecting a diagnosis of PTSD is from September 1993.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure during his deployment in the Persian Gulf.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD, prior to February 1, 1994. The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted an apportionment of $438.00 per month for the support of the minor child, as it is determined that this amount does not cause financial hardship to the veteran.

The veteran seeks an effective date prior to August 1, 1988 for his service connection of PTSD. The Board denied this claim as there is no evidence showing a claim was filed before the May 1988 decision that granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the right hand injury but granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The rating for the right hand condition remains unchanged.