PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's appeal is about the propriety of initial staged ratings for PTSD. The RO must obtain additional VA outpatient treatment records and conduct a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of PTSD, considering both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to incomplete development of evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his claimed stressors are consistent with his combat experience in Korea and he provided a link between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for postoperative residuals of a left ankle fracture, effective May 30, 1997. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus the appeal is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, residuals of frostbite, a back condition, and a left knee condition. The veteran's stomach condition was not found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a diagnosis, leading to service connection for PTSD. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also found to be related to military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 1997 for the TDIU rating due to the veteran's unemployability since his VA hospitalization in August 1997.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The current effective date is January 30, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD, finding that no evidence was received in the interim between the September 1994 denial and July 10, 1998 petition to reopen. The earliest effective date is therefore July 10, 1998.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from December 5, 1997.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and assessing the impact of PTSD on employment.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymia and post-traumatic stress disorder have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to May 24, 1999 or subsequent to that date.

The veteran's initial claim for PTSD was granted, and he is currently receiving a 50% disability evaluation. However, the veteran requested an increased rating to 70%. The case remains in appellate status due to the issuance of a subsequent rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, essential hypertension, galactorrhea, weight gain due to medications, or uncontrollable tremors. The evidence does not support a finding of these conditions being related to her military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in 1986 and 1987. The veteran's statements regarding his experiences during service are sufficient to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors occurred, and the United States Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records did not verify any claimed stressor. The veteran was also denied TDIU as his claim may need further development regarding Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. His right knee disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with a VA examination. The claims for higher rating for PTSD and service connection for right ankle disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.