PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran has demonstrated a demonstrable inability to obtain and maintain employment as a result of persistent symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, including anxiety, depression, and an irritable mood since at least June 1989.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as a residual of Agent Orange exposure during service, and for a left leg disorder are currently on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on the veteran's reported combat experience in Vietnam, finding that his PTSD is related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's PTSD, including a request for an extraschedular evaluation. The case is being remanded back to the RO for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment benefits will also be remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his loss of use of one or both lower extremities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The issue is now on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the earliest date of entitlement was September 8, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting considerable social and industrial impairment.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and will remand the case for additional examination and review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for Bell's Palsy. The veteran is not entitled to a higher disability evaluation for her Bell's Palsy.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features from December 2, 1997 to January 13, 2000 is remanded. The effective date of the 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is set at January 14, 2000.

The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD, maintaining the current 50% rating.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that his symptoms align with the DSM-IV criteria and resolving any doubt in his favor. The low back disability is not related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected back disability and denied an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective December 18, 2001. The RO conducted additional verification and provided the veteran with VA examinations to clarify his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining unit history and morning reports from his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there is no current evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and that the veteran does not have this condition as a result of her active military service.

The veteran's service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis B, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Hepatocellular Liver Disease secondary to Hepatitis C infection, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine and Degenerative Disc Disease C5-6 with Mild Neural Foraminal Encroachment, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were all granted. The veteran's service connection for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is pending.