PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his hearing loss, malaria, PTSD, and depression due to procedural issues and the need for additional development.

The VA granted the veteran's claim for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder and assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation effective from April 4, 2002. However, the case is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded to the RO due to VCAA notice issues and the need for a current VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for concurrent receipt of VA and OWCP benefits due to an overpayment of $5,030 from March 1996 through July 1996. The overpayment was validly created as it resulted from OWCP benefits paid based on aggravation of PTSD in the workplace.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of a verified stressor and scheduling the veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was incurred in service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability and granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety neurosis are denied.

The Board has determined that the RO did not comply with due process requirements and must be remanded for further action, including notification to the veteran of what evidence is needed to substantiate his claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to substantiate the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The RO must verify the claimed stressors, obtain relevant medical records, and conduct a VA examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from April 30, 2001 to May 30, 2002 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The effective date for the higher rating remains pending.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating effective October 25, 2002. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder were denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors sufficient to cause PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits application.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to incomplete records, including those from Vet Centers and VA Medical Centers where the veteran received treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, concluding that the earliest possible effective date was April 24, 1998.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from March 1, 1995. The RO assigned an earlier effective date of July 26, 1988.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.