PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining official personnel file and VA treatment records. The veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these developments.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective since January 29, 1996. The veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to June 12, 2002 were primarily manifested by depressed mood, sleep loss, fatigue, and intrusive recollections of combat experiences in Vietnam. Since June 12, 2002, the veteran's PTSD has been characterized by constant depression, suicidal ideation, marked hypervigilance, exaggerated startle responses, and inability to complete complex tasks.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his PTSD was granted, but the RO assigned an initial 10 percent rating. The veteran wants a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's PTSD, which is more than the originally assigned 30 percent rating. The decision was based on the 'new' criteria for evaluating neuropsychiatric disabilities that took effect in November 1996.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records from the VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for any treatment related to PTSD. The appeal is remanded due to pending development.

The veteran's PTSD is found to have been incurred as a result of active military service, with the occurrence of stressors supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service-connected schizo-affective disorder with PTSD symptoms and seizure disorder. The effective date for the 100% rating for schizo-affective disorder was set as March 2, 2003.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from April 26, 2000. The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating was denied in December 1998 and the current appeal is to determine if new evidence supports reopening of his back injury claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was initially rated at 50 percent from October 13, 1998 to April 22, 2002. Since April 23, 2002, the disability has been rated at 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as schizophrenia, began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including locating the veteran's service medical records. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 2, 1998 for service connection of PTSD was denied as there were no formal or informal claims filed before this date.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, finding no evidence of current residuals related to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and nicotine dependence.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD due to service or any incident in service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia is likely due to a condition first manifest during service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The veteran's PTSD results in considerable industrial and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% disabling since August 28, 1996. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need to comply with notification and assistance provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.