PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is insufficient credible supporting evidence to establish a verified in-service stressor for PTSD. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, arranging for a new VA psychiatric examination, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case regarding his increased rating claim.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be productive of impairment compatible with no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks from September 26, 2000 to January 31, 2003. On and after February 1, 2003, the veteran's PTSD was found to be productive of impairment compatible with no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the appellant's service-connected PTSD as of March 22, 1999. The appellant exhibits total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene), disorientation to time or place, memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a rating of 30 percent from October 24, 2000 to June 27, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence linking his warts on hands to service. The Board also found no probative evidence indicating that bilateral tinea pedis was caused by exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to new legal requirements and missing medical records.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, which is the highest schedular evaluation available.

The veteran's appeal of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining command chronologies and stressor information from the Marine Corps Historical Center. The veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ankle injury, and skin disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allegation of witnessing an autopsy during service is corroborated, and he currently has PTSD. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if the verified stressor is sufficient for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional information about the appellant's claimed stressors and conducting a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for prostate disability due to herbicide exposure is pending. The claims for increased evaluations of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are denied, except that the veteran was granted a 70% evaluation for PTSD effective November 21, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VCAA notification and a need for further examination of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including notification under the VCAA and additional medical examinations.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of disablement more compatible with occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, intermittent illogical speech, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 31, 1993 for the award of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, effective November 17, 1999.