PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for PTSD is not supported by evidence and needs to be remanded. The veteran will need to provide information about his in-service stressors, which may involve a review with the USASCRUR.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, and a higher rating for perforation of the left ear tympanic membrane with hearing loss were granted. Service connection for residuals of a head injury manifested by headaches was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 21, 2000. The Board finds that the symptoms of PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms are linked to in-service sexual assault and supported by medical evidence.

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

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for tinea pedis and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law and the need for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 24, 1999, for a grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms causing total occupational impairment and virtually complete social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence to establish the claimed in-service stressor of sexual harassment, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on credible supporting evidence of a stressor occurring during service, despite some skepticism regarding the credibility of certain reported incidents. Service connection for increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 1, 1994, for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with cognitive disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and has granted a 20 percent evaluation for his residuals of shell fragment wounds to the back (thoracic area).

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating of PTSD was dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied on the merits due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. The case is being remanded for additional development, including verifying the alleged stressors and obtaining updated VA treatment records.