PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's current symptoms and an in-service stressor, leading to a grant of service connection. The acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was found to have been aggravated by military service.

The veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, joint aches, insomnia, and depression are being addressed.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a more current psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 2001 for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected PTSD. The veteran had maintained substantially gainful employment as a welfare fraud investigator until his retirement on September 28, 2001.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation effective from June 22, 2000. The decision also grants an earlier effective date of June 22, 2000 for this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective February 19, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating remains pending.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, right hand shell fragment wound scars with posttraumatic degenerative joint disease of the wrist, and left hand shell fragment wound scars with posttraumatic degenerative joint disease of the wrist.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depression, and PTSD, is linked to his period of active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to in-service stressors, and he is granted service connection.

The veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, constricted affect, hypervigilance, paranoia, intrusive thoughts, social isolation, interpersonal difficulties, and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms suggest no more than occupational and social impairment with difficulties in most areas.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining current treatment records from the VA medical facility in Augusta.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to a stressor experienced during his active military service. The other issues, including those regarding the bilateral foot disorder and right knee disorder, are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The veteran's PTSD disability alone does not qualify him for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate as he is capable of leaving his home unaccompanied and driving.