PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess whether the veteran was sexually assaulted during Basic Training and if so, whether this assault contributed to his PTSD. The M&ROC is instructed to ensure all requested actions are completed and that the claim is readjudicated under both old and new criteria for service connection of PTSD.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of her previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.

The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO previously denied this claim in April 1995, but the veteran added claims for hepatitis, tinnitus, and scars due to an injury to his right eye. The Board finds that the veteran's PTSD is related to a verified stressful event during service, which was not addressed by the RO in its previous decision.

The VA has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for a low back disability to the right knee. The claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA medical treatment was also denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that there was new and material evidence to reopen his claim, but denied reopening on the basis of no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the veteran's anxiety disorder, but denied his claim for service connection of PTSD. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues raised by the veteran.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of the appellant's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, based on new and material evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied by the RO. The denial is based on the lack of evidence to support the claimed inservice stressors and the absence of competent medical evidence linking any current psychiatric disability to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer disease, hemorrhoids, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for residuals of hepatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to new and material evidence submitted, including medical records indicating a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service sexual assault. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased apportionment of his compensation benefits, finding that any increase would seriously impair his ability to obtain food and shelter.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder and a compensable rating for his scar on the left wrist from a shell fragment wound. The effective date for the grant of service connection was set at April 20, 1999.

The veteran seeks an effective date prior to May 18, 1994 for the grant of service connection and a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The Board finds that no earlier effective date can be assigned due to lack of evidence submitted within one year after separation from active service or before the date entitlement arose.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD and an anxiety disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% disability rating effective January 1, 1993. His right ulnar nerve neuropathy and shell fragment wound residuals of the right arm were not rated higher.