PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The VA has granted a 50 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder, effective December 5, 1996. The veteran's claim for individual unemployability was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records from a hospitalization during active duty.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD and Psychophysiologic Gastrointestinal Reaction, finding that it results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence verifying his claimed in-service stressors, and thus concluded that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD caused by a verified in-service stressor.

The veteran's PTSD and anal fissure are both currently rated appropriately, with the PTSD receiving a 30 percent evaluation and the anal fissure also at 30 percent. The appeals for higher evaluations have been denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's neurodermatitis is more likely than not related to service, as it began before service but worsened during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to February 18, 1993 for a 100% disability evaluation for PTSD due to lack of evidence of an ascertainable increase in disability between September 1991 and February 18, 1993.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected PTSD and determine if it precludes substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the old criteria. The new criteria do not provide a higher rating for his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that the earliest possible effective date is August 15, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 1, 2001 for a TDIU rating as it was not factually ascertainable that he became individually unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.,New and material evidence has not been presented to reopen claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (depression) and for a gastrointestinal disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to assess her psychiatric and spine disabilities, as well as the need for additional examinations. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and address the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied a compensable rating for scars to the right forearm, antecubital fossa, and right upper knee. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of the veteran's duty status on June 25, 1989 and compliance with Veterans Claims Assistance Act requirements.