PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is for a higher evaluation for PTSD, which was previously granted with a 30 percent rating effective November 29, 2000. The RO has been instructed to schedule the veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has ordered the RO to remand this case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the veteran's disability status.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of the receipt of the veteran's claim.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by psychiatric symptomatology including depression, intrusive thoughts, memory flashbacks, recurring nightmares, socially avoidant behavior, impaired impulse control and aggressive outbursts, short-term memory problems, and problems with concentration. This results in occupational and social impairment with severe deficiencies in his vocational and social spheres.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the in-service stressor events have not been verified. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the claimant did not timely file a Substantive Appeal within the required timeframe.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's incarceration.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, which was previously rated at 10 percent. The RO granted a 50 percent evaluation in March 2002 but the veteran disagrees and is requesting a higher rating.

The Board found no additional psychiatric disability due to VA medical treatment in April 2000, and denied the veteran's claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a verified stressor related to his service in Vietnam, and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a rating of 100 percent for PTSD as of March 11, 2003, due to total social and occupational impairment. The veteran was previously rated at 70 percent from January 2, 2001 through March 10, 2003.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors and thus, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The veteran's PTSD has worsened, and a further examination is needed to determine the extent of impairment. The RO should also obtain SSA records related to the veteran's disability benefits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's testimony at a hearing, along with medical records showing some PTSD symptoms and verified stressors, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The veteran's claim of service connection for asthma and reactive airway disease was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current lung conditions were related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD, finding that March 6, 2000 was the earliest date of entitlement.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for compliance with legal provisions on VA's duty to notify and assist, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will then be reviewed again for a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis and failure to meet diagnostic criteria under DSM-IV.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and low back strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.