PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues. The appeal is about service connection for PTSD, and additional evidence will be sought from VA medical facilities.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

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

The Board found that the veteran experienced sexual trauma in service, resulting in a current psychiatric disability of PTSD with anxiety and bipolar disorder. The Board concluded that this condition was incurred as a result of active service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from March 13, 1997. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is not addressed as it was not raised in the original award.

The veteran's PTSD has been shown to be productive of total social and industrial impairment from March 21, 1996 to June 9, 1996, and on and after August 1, 1996.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from August 24, 2001. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, irritability, and nightmares.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in December 1994. The veteran's allegations of additional stressful experiences have now been considered, along with a VA psychiatric examination report.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD, finding that the August 1965 rating decision denying service connection for a nervous condition became final when the veteran did not initiate an appeal during the year following the denial. The claim was reopened in October 1999 and granted in March 2000, but the effective date could not be earlier than the date of receipt of the claim to reopen.

The veteran's claims for PTSD service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cutaneous nerve damage to the right leg, secondary to a service-connected shrapnel wound. The veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are rated at their highest possible evaluation of 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a left hand shell fragment wound was denied. The RO also denied service connection for prostate cancer and a urinary tract disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a rating in excess of 70 percent, finding that the maximum allowable evaluation was already assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a back disorder, and a psychiatric disability (including post-traumatic stress disorder) due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU were denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, update employment information, and schedule an examination to assess the impact of PTSD on his employability.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by total occupational and social impairment, marginal judgment, and grossly inappropriate behavior, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD, which meets the criteria for total disability due to mental health impairment. As a result of this decision, the claim for TDIU is dismissed.

The veteran was granted a TDIU rating with a 70% disability rating for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and history of major depressive disorder. The effective date is set to December 17, 2000.