PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing PTSD was not aggravated by service, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD did not develop during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible evidence of exposure to combat-compatible circumstances during his Southeast Asia service. The chronic back, hip, and TMJ disorders are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other service-connected condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was found to have been incurred in service and granted.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's shell fragment residuals are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is now rated at the maximum (100%) disability evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experience in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that no application was filed prior to October 28, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and granted service connection for PTSD based on his verified military service.

The Board denied service connection for nicotine dependence and a higher initial evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C remain in appellate status.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than January 3, 1997, for a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before October 28, 1995 and after October 28, 1995.

The veteran's depressive reaction with PTSD and chronic thoracic-lumbar strain have been granted higher ratings, but not to the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, tinea cruris, and warts of the right fourth toe were denied. The initial evaluations assigned by the RO are not supported.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was incurred in active military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran has dysthymia/depression, a psychiatric disorder related to his active military service. The claim for PTSD was not granted due to the examiner's reliance on the veteran's exaggerated account of an incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50% disability rating, effective from November 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and increased ratings are pending.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating, effective from December 22, 1999. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.