PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment caused by his disability.

The Board found that the veteran's appeal was untimely filed, and thus dismissed the claims for an initial rating for PTSD in excess of 30 percent, an effective date prior to February 14, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and to reopen the issue of service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final decision in 2001. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied claims for lymphadenitis, gunshot wounds residuals, and an organic mood disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and eye disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service jeep accident and fear of enemy action, which are considered combat-related stressors. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on direct evidence linking his military service to his diagnosis.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 17, 2000, for a grant of an evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD was denied because it was not factually ascertainable prior to November 29, 1989, that his PTSD had increased in severity so as to warrant such a rating. The effective date assigned by the RO is April 17, 2000.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD from March 1, 1980 to July 20, 1986.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and service connection for a cardiovascular disorder. The earlier effective date issues were dismissed due to the veteran's failure to file timely substantive appeals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective October 7, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Korea.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the appellant does not have PTSD that is related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and severance of service connection for refractive error, PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic muscle tension headaches. The decision found that the initial grants of service connection were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has reopened the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD based on new evidence of a current diagnosis, and denied the merits of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to events he experienced during his service in Vietnam, including exposure to rocket attacks, witnessing a helicopter crash, and exposure to small arms fire. As these stressors are considered direct evidence of the veteran's condition, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.