PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the veteran's PTSD to his service, specifically the verified stressor of being subjected to mortar fire while in Vietnam. The veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if there is a link between current symptoms and this stressor.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD was granted, with an initial disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 50 percent. His diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, and malaria are all evaluated as non-compensable. The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for his skin disorder. The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for diabetic neuropathy of the four extremities were denied.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling prior to August 25, 2003. As of that date, the disability rating was increased to 100 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hammer toes of the left foot was denied, as the current 20 percent evaluation is considered appropriate.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 5, 1988 for service connection of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis prior to that date.

The veteran's PTSD results in total occupational impairment, and the Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has restored the veteran's PTSD rating to 50% effective from December 1, 2004. The evidence shows improvement in his PTSD symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and a back disorder. The denial is based on the lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors related to PTSD.

The VA denied an increased rating for PTSD, maintaining the current 50% evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen her previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, and will proceed with further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 50% evaluation. The effective date of this decision is May 29, 1997.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and possibly Social Security Administration records. The case will be adjudicated again after the development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of stressor events and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is due to a sexual assault in service and has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as circulatory problems), degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and generalized annular bulging at L3-L4 and L4-5, post-traumatic stress disorder, bronchitis, knee disorders, headaches, and hand coordination problems, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The veteran's claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent from October 18, 1996 to November 19, 1998.