PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is sufficiently severe to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied reimbursement or payment for unauthorized medical services provided on November 17, 1999 due to lack of prior authorization from VA personnel and the procedures not constituting an emergency situation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating effective October 29, 1999.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective from January 28, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed stressors were not credible and that he did not engage in combat with the enemy. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment related to PTSD during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 100 percent evaluation, effective from November 26, 1991.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

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

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 1996. The Board finds that the severity of his PTSD increased after a hospitalization in March 1998, warranting a 50 percent rating effective from April 1, 1998.

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

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as it does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, temporomandibular syndrome, fractured skull, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is insufficient credible evidence to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of a secondary issue (alcohol dependence as secondary to PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a rating for hypertension. The veteran's dysthymia was not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for PTSD under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because it was not incurred as a result of treatment or an examination by VA, but rather due to an intervening cause during her hospitalization.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining prison medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain missing VA treatment records and conduct a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.