PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent disability rating, reflecting some occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to new evidence presented since the last final decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD because there was no verified in-service stressor, and thus the diagnosis of PTSD could not be linked to service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective April 22, 2002. The criteria for total occupational and social impairment were not met.

The Board has remanded the veteran's case for additional development, including compliance with new notice requirements and VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions. The TDIU issue is held in abeyance.

The Board has determined that a 100 percent evaluation is warranted for PTSD due to the severity of symptoms including hallucinations, severe sleep disturbance, and persistent suicidal and homicidal ideation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for esophageal cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for increased ratings for knee disabilities. The issues of reopening a claim for degenerative arthritis secondary to bilateral knee disorder, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for low back, neck, and shoulder disorders, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, and his right ankle condition was also found to be service-connected based on direct evidence. The effective date for these determinations is not specified.