PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and proper consideration of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor or noise exposure, respectively.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the April 1998 decision supports a finding of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 100% evaluation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder effective April 3, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether an effective date prior to February 14, 1994, for a total disability rating for PTSD should be granted.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for anxiety neurosis, effective from the date of the initial reduction. The claim for entitlement to total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability is moot as the veteran's disability rating was restored.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a verified stressor involving witnessing the explosion of a jeep resulting in the death or severe injury of its occupants.

The Board has found that the veteran experienced significantly stressful events during her service in Vietnam as a nurse, and her PTSD symptoms are linked to these experiences. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for temporary total ratings based on hospitalization while he was a resident at COPIN House, finding that his residence did not constitute hospitalization.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since the initial grant of service connection, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the RO's December 1997 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as the correct facts were before them at the time of the decision. The appellant did not provide specific details of his alleged in-service stressors, and there is no evidence to verify a single traumatic event that might alter one's mental or physical life.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, and his PTSD is service-connected based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The effective date for these determinations is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of mental health treatment and verifying alleged stressors.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as the RO had already awarded a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, which is considered total disability. The issues of increased ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for schizophrenia remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an effective date of October 13, 1994.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection and rated at 70 percent. The willful misconduct issue is now moot as the RO has already addressed it in a separate rating action.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.