PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has requested additional development to determine if the veteran was exposed to a stressor or stressors in service, and if so, whether these events are sufficient for a diagnosis of PTSD. The case is now remanded for further action.

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: the propriety of a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD from May 6, 1996 to April 7, 1998 and an issue regarding an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD starting on April 8, 1998. The Board has determined that both issues are related to the merits of the service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be a result of his combat stressors in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a temporary total hospitalization rating based on his residence at COPIN House from December 3, 1987 to January 31, 1988. The appeal is about service connection and not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection case and found that new evidence submitted since January 1996 is sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD. The veteran was exposed to repeated rocket and mortar attacks while stationed in Vietnam, which led to his PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD related to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss with tinnitus and PTSD, finding no evidence of current disabilities coincident with his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and is granting it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final decision supports a reopening of the claim.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is now rated at 50 percent effective from January 26, 2000.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including searching for missing service medical records and complying with new notification requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence not establishing a stressor event in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, frostbite of both feet, ulnar neuropathy of the left arm, and a shrapnel wound to the left arm, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision on whether this evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim will determine if service connection can be granted.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication.