PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied in a February 2001 decision. The RO increased the disability rating to 70 percent effective March 25, 2003. However, the case is being remanded due to incomplete records and VCAA compliance issues.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and concluded that PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100% rating since its effective date of service connection in October 1988, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and established service connection for hypertension and memory loss. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the veteran during his treatment with a private psychiatrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is reasonably attributable to his service, including his time in Vietnam. The evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and there is credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors actually occurred.

The VA is required to reconsider the appeal and determine an appropriate evaluation for PTSD during the specified period, considering all relevant evidence and laws.

The Board finds that the veteran's participation in relief operations in the Philippines during active duty is a verified stressor for PTSD. The VA examinations and psychological evaluations support a diagnosis of an adjustment disorder with anxiety, which is attributable to his confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that it results in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for respiratory disability and PTSD for purposes of receiving accrued benefits, finding that she is not eligible to receive such benefits due to her children being the primary recipients.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD for the purpose of receiving accrued benefits, as it was established that the veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD supported by confirmed stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 22, 1995 for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and confirming the existence of in-service stressors. The issues on appeal are service connection for PTSD, liver disorder, and skin disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, which is associated with his military service. The veteran was exposed to significant stressful events in Vietnam during his service.

The veteran's PTSD rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment, and he was granted a 100 percent schedular rating for this condition as of the date of his death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and requesting a completed VA Form 21-8940 from the veteran.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, including verification of in-service stressors and a psychiatric evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, cervical cancer/dysplasia, ear disorder (otitis media and externa), nasal disorder (upper respiratory infections and sinusitis), headache disorder, jaw disorder, cervical spine disorder, and low back disorder. The evidence received since the October 1993 rating decision does not show that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the appendectomy scar is remanded.