PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 29, 1998 for a grant of Total Rating for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for residuals of a left foot injury, and an evaluation higher than 20 percent for low back disability from July 14, 1998 to May 23, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection of a shrapnel wound to the left forehead. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The veteran is now entitled to have his PTSD service connection claim considered.

The VA denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluation for PTSD and service connection for hepatitis C. The Board found that the symptoms related to PTSD did not warrant a rating higher than 70 percent, but also noted that there was no evidence of exposure to blood or syringes in service that could support a finding of service connection for hepatitis C.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is manifested by mild symptoms and does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis and hypertension, but granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The claim for low back condition was not reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD as of April 11, 1980, which is when PTSD was added to the rating schedule. The veteran's claim must be denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a schedular disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the veteran's treatment and providing a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD and porphyria cutanea tarda.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include service connection for PTSD. The RO is instructed to verify the veteran's claimed stressors, obtain additional evidence from the Unit Records Center, and arrange for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in 1993. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The VA granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected PTSD effective May 17, 2003. The veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened since the start of the war in Iraq.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which is now considered on its merits. The veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD multiple times by both treating and examining psychiatrists and psychologists.

The Board has received notification of a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing in Washington, DC. He will be rescheduled for a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and VCAA notice.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD and found service connection for malaria. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, exaggerated startle response, hyper-vigilance, decreased memory and concentration, depression, and anxiety. Malaria was not incurred in military service.

The Board found credible supporting evidence of claimed stressors during military service that support the diagnosis of PTSD, and granted the veteran's claim for service connection.