PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from Social Security Administration.

The Board is remanding the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for proper VCAA notification. The appeal involves whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from September 25, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors and that he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms are shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, thinking, and mood. The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for the service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and memory loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is related to an inservice sexual trauma and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by mood disturbances such as depression, irritability, insomnia, social isolation, and intrusive memories, resulting in a total inability to obtain or retain effective relationships or employment. The criteria for a 100 percent rating for PTSD have been met.

The veteran is currently entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD effective from February 15, 2000. However, he contends that he should have received a higher evaluation prior to this date.,Prior to October 17, 1994, the veteran was granted a 30 percent evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD manifested occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating prior to October 11, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, and it is now being evaluated on its merits.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The RO had previously granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent rating, which was later increased to 50 percent and then to 70 percent.

The veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 10 percent rating effective April 20, 1998. A subsequent increase to 30 percent was granted on October 7, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for alcoholism and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The decision found that his alcoholism was due to willful misconduct and not related to service. His psychiatric conditions were also deemed unrelated to service.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining information from the U.S. Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records and medical records from various providers to determine if service connection can be established for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including requesting additional evidence from the U.S. Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran has PTSD or other psychiatric disorders related to service.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased disability evaluation for his PTSD, which was initially granted with a 30 percent rating effective May 2000 and later increased to 50 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before proceeding.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic bronchitis and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD was denied as it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected PTSD satisfied the criteria for such a rating prior to May 6, 2001.