PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was aggravated by his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to his PTSD. The claim for DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed due to the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, defective hearing, a neck disorder, and a back disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including notifying the veteran of the evidence needed to substantiate his claim and whether VA or the veteran should obtain such evidence.

The veteran would have been continuously rated at a combined evaluation of 80% for depressive neurosis and PTSD, qualifying him for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The RO must ensure that all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied, including obtaining information about any stressors claimed by the veteran.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an increased rating beyond 50 percent for the period from June 20, 2002 to January 29, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to issues regarding his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a higher rating for residuals of fracture of the left ulna, and denied reopening claims for hypertension and hemorrhoids.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed service in Vietnam, which could trigger a presumption of service connection. The RO must also seek verification from the Marine Corps Historical Center regarding any combat stressors during his active duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this claim. The veteran is now entitled to a determination on whether his PTSD is related to an in-service assault.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, low back disability, and residuals of a right arm fracture. The claim for a compensable evaluation for malaria was remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and clarification of the appellant's request regarding service connection for a heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to deny reopening of the PTSD claim was based on an incorrect regulation and has ordered a remand for readjudication under the correct standard.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from October 6, 1998 to April 8, 2002. From April 9, 2002 onwards, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for post-traumatic stress disorder is granted, based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service exposure to enemy attacks and current PTSD symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 1992 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely appeal the December 1992 rating decision, which denied service connection for PTSD and depression. The Board's decision was subsequently overturned due to a finding of CUE.

The veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits is being reviewed, and the issue of whether the reduction was properly created and assessed against him is also under consideration. The case has been remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and bilateral defective hearing are service-connected, with the PTSD being presumed due to combat exposure.