PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected major depression and PTSD have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe sleep disturbance, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety, irritability, survivor guilt, depression, difficulty concentrating, and near total social isolation. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied, but he is now receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus are November 9, 1998, and January 6, 1992 respectively.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and developing all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to clarify whether the veteran has PTSD related to documented stressors during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the conditions to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression is causally linked to his in-service physical and emotional trauma, specifically a stress fracture of the left tibia. As such, service connection for PTSD with depression is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability, bilateral hip disability, and PTSD. However, it is unclear whether these claims are decided on a merits basis or if they are still pending based on new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was increased from a 30 percent rating to a 50 percent rating effective July 22, 1999. The veteran contends that his PTSD symptoms have worsened and he is now unemployable.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, finding that the veteran's PTSD is mild in nature with primary symptoms of sleep problems, nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anxiety, irritability, but not cognitive impairment or psychotic symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. As a result, the claim is now considered on its merits.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the effective date for his service-connected PTSD is set at February 15, 1989.,Service connection for bilateral inguinal hernias was granted with an effective date of September 7, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, based on new evidence provided by the veteran regarding her in-service sexual assault.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be granted based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and addressing the veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD and earlier effective dates. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the VA outpatient clinic in Crown Point, Indiana, and Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD due to any verified incident or event of active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.