PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in May 1999. The veteran's claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and denied it. The claim for service connection for asbestosis or a lung condition due to Agent Orange exposure is considered, but the evidence does not support reopening of this claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hip disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the feet and ankles, neuropathy of the upper extremities, tension headaches, cervical DJD, PTSD, and claudication. The reasons are not provided in this decision.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues and evidence. The appeal is currently remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities include bilateral arm disability, left knee disability, back disorder, hypertension, pinched nerve in both lower legs, sleep apnea, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The appeal is granted for all issues.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and evidence. The case is now remanded for additional development at the RO level.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify stressors and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether staged ratings are appropriate. The veteran's appeal is to determine if she should receive an initial evaluation higher than 50 percent for her PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation due to lack of gross impairment in thought processes or communication.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee meniscal tear is not shown to have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder warrant a 100% evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including requesting additional records from the Social Security Administration and arranging for a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of their PTSD. The appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of the veteran's psychiatric and back disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from February 26, 1996. The RO also awarded an earlier effective date of July 1, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his PTSD and left shoulder scar ratings. The effective date for the 100% rating for PTSD is October 6, 2003.