PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence had been presented. The case is now on the merits, with the issue of whether PTSD was incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of heart bypass surgery, hypertension, and PTSD due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and skin rash were also denied as a result of his failure to appear for the examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for GERD secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective August 25, 1999. The RO also granted entitlement to individual unemployability based on the veteran's PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 4, 1997 for PTSD and for increased ratings for PTSD and a compression fracture of T5. The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD on that date.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in service. The Board also finds that his gastrointestinal disorders are related to his active duty service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his postoperative right knee condition is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The appeal was also denied regarding the reopening of his hearing loss service connection claim.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam, and thus was not eligible for presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. For PTSD, the claim was denied as there was no verified stressor.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional evidence regarding the veteran's involvement at the B-52 crash site in October 1981, which may have aggravated his pre-existing PTSD. The appeal is currently pending further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and if his effective date for service connection of PTSD should be earlier than November 3, 1994.

The Board has granted a total schedular rating for PTSD effective from December 14, 2001, based on the veteran's severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating than the current 50 percent.

The veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, PTSD warrants a 10% evaluation, and the right hand injury with deformity and loss of motion of the index finger, degenerative arthritis of the thumb, carpometacarpal joint, and long finger strain is rated at 40%. The veteran's TDIU claim is held in abeyance.

The Board granted a 100% rating for PTSD effective from January 17, 1995.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 21, 2002 and granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from that date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including verification of stressors and obtaining SSA medical records.