PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD from March 27, 2000. Prior to that date, the veteran's PTSD resulted in considerable social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inaudibility of his Travel Board hearing recording, and he has requested another hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the new hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VR & C files. The veteran's service-connected disabilities include PTSD, which was granted in February 1996, and other conditions such as pedophilia, major depressive disorder, paranoid personality disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, schizotypal personality disorder, psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, schizophrenia, and dysthymia.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and therefore denied his claim.

The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and further development. The veteran's claims for PTSD service connection and reopening of his back injury claim will be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD but granted a 30% evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder, effective from the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his claim of service connection for a chronic acquired variously diagnosed skin disorder, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence submitted since July 1999 was not new and material.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a liver condition, and bilateral leg cramps were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support these claims.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for PTSD, but the duodenal ulcer issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of hypertension and left ear hearing loss disability, as well as his service connection claims for heart disease, tinnitus, PTSD, and sinusitis. The RO found that there was no current evidence of a compensable level of hearing loss or a diagnosis of heart disease, PTSD, or sinusitis in service.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and denied service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors and thus no basis to establish a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, fibromyalgia at 20 percent, and hiatal hernia with acid reflux disease at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of PTSD. The veteran's military records support exposure to stressful events, and medical evidence supports a link between his diagnosed PTSD and his military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, but the RO has not provided adequate notice of the VCAA and failed to complete all necessary development. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 10, 1997 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and has denied the claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.