PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. His hearing loss claim was granted, but not to a higher rating. Service connection for arthritis and PTSD was also denied. Increased ratings of 30% each were granted for his cold injury foot disabilities.

The Board has granted the application to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for dysmenorrhea with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, fibroid tumors and broad ligament myoma, psychiatric disability other than PTSD, stomach disorder, vaginal rash, and vertigo.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including requesting additional evidence from the Center for Research of Unit Records and contacting the Army Reference Branch. The veteran is also to be scheduled for an audiological examination.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hepatitis C, and a skin disorder. The case is now remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence regarding the veteran's claimed post-traumatic stress disorder and its in-service stressors. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and is now considering whether new evidence supports this reopening.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis of dysthymia and depression to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's explosive personality with PTSD renders him demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The veteran's death prevented any prior authorization for the unauthorized medical services provided in conjunction with his hospitalization at Dickenson County Memorial Hospital. The VA facility was available and willing to provide treatment, but the appellant did not seek prior authorization.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for clarification of a previous opinion and additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation, effective from December 3, 1990. The RO increased the disability evaluation to 50 percent from April 14, 1999.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied by the RO. The VA has been directed to obtain recent treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has ordered further development to support the claim for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appellant is required to provide additional medical records and personnel records, as well as any statements from service medical personnel or 'buddy' statements/affidavits relating to claimed service stressors.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by nightmares, flashbacks, paranoid feelings, occasional auditory hallucinations, difficulty concentrating and feelings of anger and sadness. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent rating have been met.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected history of hepatitis was denied. The evidence did not show sufficient disability to warrant a compensable rating under the current schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the issue is more accurately characterized as entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The veteran asserts she has an acquired psychiatric disorder caused or aggravated by her service, citing several stressors during her active duty.

The VA has granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under the criteria. The veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.,The veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, with superimposed major depression, was incurred in active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board previously denied service connection for PTSD by February 2000 decision. The RO has now denied the claim again due to lack of new and material evidence sufficient to reopen that claim.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and evidence. The case is now remanded for additional consideration.