PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues with stressor verification and additional service medical records.

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

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of his intent regarding a previous claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's diagnosis of PTSD is supported by credible supporting evidence, including his in-service exposure to combat events such as mortars, rockets, and sniper fire.

The Board has ordered the VA to verify the veteran's reported stressor of SCUD attacks during his service in the Persian Gulf. The case is then remanded for further review.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination will also be arranged to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that the issue should be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if PTSD is related to in-service experiences or other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that the veteran's conditions are related to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus. The claim of service connection for PTSD is also remanded due to inadequate attempts at stressor verification.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of specific statutory authority.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a low disability (likely referring to low back disability), hearing loss, lung disease (including asthma), urethral stricture, migraine headaches, arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral knee disorder, and sinusitis. The denial is final as it was made in August 2001.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD from February 7, 2000. The initial 30 percent and 10 percent ratings remain in effect until that date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 23, 1995 for a 100% rating for PTSD. The decision states that it is not factually ascertainable that PTSD increased to the 100 percent level on any date prior to June 23, 1995.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by serious symptoms more nearly approximating total occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and Dependent's Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38 of the United States Code due to lack of evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD or other conditions that could be linked to active service.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal cancer did not have its onset during service or due to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from a VA facility and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support the diagnosis and a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The veteran was not granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, but his bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable prior to June 10, 1999, and then rated at 10 percent from June 10, 1999 to February 18, 2003. The evaluation for the disability increased to 20 percent starting February 19, 2003.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms result in frequent panic attacks, impaired judgment due to anger outbursts, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50% evaluation are met.