PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the effective date remains pending as it was not specified in the decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in September 1988, citing the veteran's failure to provide sufficient details of his stressors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressors in Vietnam. The case is remanded for further development, including verification of claimed stressors and obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent disabling, has been granted. The RO must consider whether staged ratings are warranted and ensure that all relevant private and VA treatment records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that the veteran's PTSD had increased in severity to the point where it rendered him unemployable was October 30, 1996. Therefore, an earlier effective date of October 30, 1996 for the assignment of a TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, but the veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, the maximum available under VA regulations. The effective date of this decision is to be determined by the RO.

The VA is remanding the case due to a significant change in the law and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating for the period from August 10, 1998 to September 4, 1998 due to hospitalization related to service-connected PTSD. The claim of increased disability evaluation for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD because he failed to report for a necessary VA psychiatric examination without good cause.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a low back disability, PTSD, drug and alcohol dependence, and personality disorder. The decision is based on the absence of legal merit under VA regulations.

The veteran's unauthorized private hospital care on May 7, 1999 was denied reimbursement or payment due to lack of prior VA authorization and the absence of permanent total service-connected disability, a service-connected disability associated with or aggravating PTSD, or medical emergency.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent, and the RO increased it to 50 percent effective January 29, 1998.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent, the highest possible rating.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting some social impairment due to symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability, and chronic sleep impairment. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the July 1996 denial. The RO is instructed to verify the stressors reported by the veteran and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from April 2000.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently productive of occupational and social impairment with symptoms including near continuous depression, affecting his ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.