PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues are whether hypertension can be service-connected as secondary to PTSD or diabetes, and whether the current rating for PTSD should be increased.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting severe occupational impairment with near-continuous depression.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been granted. The issue of service connection for infertility remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and due process, including obtaining additional medical records and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for PTSD, but not for a back disorder or psychiatric disorder. The gastrointestinal and skin disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD related to a verified in-service stressor and his service-connected hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the veteran suffers from PTSD related to verified in-service stressors.

The Board found that the appellant does not have PTSD linked to any incident of military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, but the claim for service connection for PTSD is still denied as there is no competent evidence linking the diagnosed PTSD to service.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective June 30, 2000. The veteran is now seeking an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his VA treatment records and a PTSD examination. The claim will be readjudicated in light of all evidence received since the December 2001 Statement of the Case.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied by the RO, and he is currently receiving a 50 percent disability rating with an effective date of January 25, 2001.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The RO has granted service connection and assigned a 10% rating effective from May 4, 2001, but he contests this decision and seeks an earlier effective date.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD and also wishes to be considered for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability. The case has been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the earliest application was filed on January 15, 1999.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD due to incomplete information from VA records, lack of notification regarding VCAA provisions, and need for further development.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from March 7, 2000. The RO increased the rating to 70 percent as of February 7, 2003.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and PTSD due to incomplete development of records, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records and VA examination reports. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and ensure compliance with all notification requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of competent evidence of current treatment or diagnosis for these conditions.