PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection for various conditions due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluations or service connections.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and found that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening the claim. The next step is to determine if the stressors reported by the veteran occurred during his active military service.

The Board has determined that the claimant's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, and his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA requirements and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying alleged stressors. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose and then reviewed again.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, as Dr. Changco's certificate did not meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for clarification of SSA disability benefits. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending.

The veteran's PTSD and related disabilities are currently rated at the highest possible schedular evaluations, with no further increase in evaluation being granted. The effective date for the current rating is set as February 18, 1997.

The veteran's PTSD is due to traumatic events in service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 18, 2000 and increased to 50 percent from February 9, 2000. The appeal is denied as the rating for PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is related to his military service in Vietnam and grants the claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD and low back disorder are both service-connected, with the PTSD being granted initially and the low back disorder receiving a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD as a result of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right eye condition, sinus condition, left parotid gland lesion, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD. The Board found that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms result in total occupational and social impairment.