PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining private and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 10 percent rating, which is the current assigned rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) found that the veteran did not have combat duty and his alleged in-service stressors were not corroborated by official records or any other supportive evidence. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's appeals regarding service connection for low back condition, ulcers, and Agent Orange residuals were dismissed due to the failure to file timely substantive appeals. The claims for hepatitis B and C, hearing loss, and PTSD have been reinstated.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on his reported combat experience. His bilateral foot disorder claim is denied due to failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under VA regulations.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, PTSD, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. His claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, low back pain, hearing loss, and residuals of exposure to Agent Orange (including seizure disorder and heart disorders).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left ankle strain, as well as his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and an undiagnosed illness. The issues were remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and back disorder claims are denied as there is no medical evidence of a causal relationship between current symptoms and active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's reported inservice stressors have been verified, and he is found to have a current diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, his claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and PTSD, as well as his claims for compensable evaluations for his service-connected hearing and ear disabilities, are being reviewed.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability, finding that the earliest possible effective date is December 18, 1996 due to the service connection for PTSD.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development due to procedural deficiencies in the VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional evidence from VA facilities and private doctors. The veteran is asked to provide a list of all additional VA facilities where he has received relevant treatment.

The Board has determined that more information is required to determine if the veteran's PTSD symptoms warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from October 14, 1998, through July 18, 1999, and any period beginning on or after July 19, 1999.

The veteran's claims for service connection for impaired vision and a back disability claimed as muscle spasms were denied. The claim for PTSD resulted in a rating of 30 percent, effective from August 25, 1992.

The veteran claims service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a new examination.