PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD requires additional development due to incomplete information about his claimed in-service stressor and need for a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 50 percent disability evaluation, which is an increase from the previous 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Service connection was also granted for hypertension and arthritis of the knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on direct evidence of its occurrence during his military service.

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

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for residuals of the head injury with post-traumatic headaches, effective June 12, 1993. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending and is considered separately.

The veteran is seeking entitlement to specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected PTSD causing severe anxiety and dizziness. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation. The TDIU claim was denied as the veteran's service-connected PTSD alone does not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling as of March 22, 2002. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 29, 1996 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision found that the veteran did not act to reopen his previously denied claim prior to March 29, 1996.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's experiences during World War II were tantamount to combat with the enemy and his reported in-service stressors are credible. The other claims of service connection for low back disorder, hearing loss disability, diabetes, and hypertension have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, and asbestos exposure. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previous claims related to tobacco use/nicotine dependence and cold injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 14, 1999 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran was found not to be unemployable solely as a result of his service-connected conditions prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and there is no evidence linking Hepatitis C to service, including exposure to Agent Orange or shrapnel wounds. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has deferred a decision on the claim for an increased rating for PTSD and requested additional development. The case is now REMANDED to the RO via the AMC for obtaining VA medical records, Social Security Administration records, and scheduling neurological and orthopedic examinations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent schedular rating due to total occupational and social impairment.