PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board is considering the veteran's claims for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, including reopening of a claim for service connection. The evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent, but further evidence may be needed to determine if it warrants an increased rating. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is being considered based on presumptive criteria, though the veteran's history and symptoms suggest other potential causes.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that it is related to a verified stressor in service.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The case needs to be remanded for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the regulatory criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability evaluations are granted, with an effective date of May 15, 1996. The veteran is also granted to reopen his previously denied claims regarding dental trauma and sensory impairment of the left facial area.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned staged ratings of 100 percent effective from June 12, 1991, to July 15, 2002, for PTSD. The veteran is seeking higher ratings for the periods between February 25, 1991 and July 15, 2002.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus or a higher evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 1, 1994. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 26, 2000 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD. The veteran's employment issues prior to his termination in December 2000 were considered and found to support this earlier effective date.

The Board found new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of PTSD, but it did not establish that the veteran engaged in combat or that his stressors occurred. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD has been denied because no new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and retroactive payment of VA compensation at the 2001 rate. The decision found that the flight deck records of the USS Coral Sea were not part of his service department records, and thus did not provide a basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under the criteria for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors in Vietnam.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment since June 23, 1997, and the Board granted a 100 percent schedular disability rating for PTSD effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records from Orangeburg VA Primary Care Clinic.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD, had its inception during active military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment, warranting the highest schedular rating of 100 percent.