PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature, extent and etiology of any neuropsychiatric disability, including PTSD. This includes obtaining service medical records, personnel records, and verifying stressors.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder as the veteran withdrew his appeal in January 1998. The issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings for PTSD and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are currently before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and potential evidence that may affect the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, eye problems, back issues, knee disabilities, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident. The decision also addressed bilateral pes planus and seizure disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a personal assault during service, resolving all doubts in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, resolving the benefit of doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from October 7, 1998. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right hand and found that it is directly related to a service-connected injury. The veteran's PTSD claim remains pending, as does his request for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right wrist.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on verified in-service stressors. The heart condition claim is remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and residuals of a left shoulder fracture was dismissed as untimely.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The appellant's service in Vietnam, including combat experiences, is considered relevant to his PTSD.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's case requires further development due to incomplete notification of the VCAA, and issues related to the creation of an overpayment need clarification. The PTSD claim also needs additional evidence regarding alleged stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and surgeries, but no specific service connection theory is provided.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The claim was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD was denied. The RO granted the initial 50% evaluation in December 1993, and later increased it to 100% effective January 28, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he did not have a clear diagnosis of PTSD and that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD and denied service connection for it. The appeal regarding his bilateral hearing loss is mixed, with some issues granted and others not.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the Regional Office (RO) for the requested development, including contacting the National Personnel Records Center and requesting service medical records, particularly psychiatric records.