PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, PTSD, and depression. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, which is the highest schedular evaluation available for this condition.

The Board denied an increased initial evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The veteran's symptoms include irritability, anxiety, flat affect, social phobia, insomnia, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance of reminders of Vietnam, and a startle response. The Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) score is 57.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

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 issue will now be considered on its merits.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition. The skin condition claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the current decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to in-service stressors, and additional development of evidence is needed as per a May 2000 Court order.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying stressors and conducting a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The veteran's PTSD was increased to a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum available under VA guidelines.

The Board has denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's arthritis of the left foot is granted as secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound, and he was also granted a 10% rating for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new legal requirements and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran was exposed to stressors during service and has granted service connection for PTSD.

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

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied as the criteria were not met.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, transurethral resection of the prostate with penile implant, and low back disability was denied. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the veteran does not have a current low back disability related to his active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and compliance with new notification requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The claims for service connection for PTSD and restoration of service connection for laryngeal cancer are being reviewed.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not significantly interfere with his occupational and social functioning.

The VA determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warranted a 30 percent evaluation from March 12, 1997 to July 7, 2000.