PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board granted an effective date of July 10, 2002 for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 12, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's loss of use of his lower extremities is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disease or injury, and therefore does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection. The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant was also denied as he does not have established service-connected disabilities involving the lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including contacting the U.S. Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records and undertaking further examination or other appropriate action.

The veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected PTSD. The RO has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective October 2001. However, the veteran contends that his PTSD symptoms are more severe than what is currently rated.

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to clarify the nature of his claimed stressors and to determine if he currently suffers from a diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The VA has decided not to grant the veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of verified stressful events. The case is being remanded for further development, including verification of alleged stressors and a comprehensive statement from the veteran.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, assigning a 50 percent rating effective from November 8, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest intent to apply for benefits was on December 2, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The appellant's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and a skin condition due to herbicide exposure were denied. The claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in May 1999 due to lack of a diagnosed condition. The veteran now needs an examination to determine if he suffers from PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depression, sleep difficulty, impaired thought processes, short-term memory loss, and panic attacks. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD meets the criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent disability rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The Board also found that PTSD was incurred in active wartime service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal has been granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 5, 2000 for the veteran's increased evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU.