PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to a verified stressor event during her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and reopened the claim for service connection of Acute Arthritis, finding new and material evidence. The rating for Post-operative Vagotomy and Pyloroplasty remains unchanged.

The veteran's death was caused by diabetic ketoasidosis, which resulted from his diabetes. The appellant argues that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his mental status and thus hastened his death. The Board has ordered additional development to clarify this issue.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, concluding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and noting that the veteran served in Vietnam but did not serve during the claimed timeframe.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD effective April 10, 1998. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if an earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU. The evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings, as the veteran's symptoms had changed very little since his last examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) by reason of service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical information and further development is needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for retroactive payment of special monthly compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) prior to November 19, 2001 and also denied his claim regarding the propriety of terminating special monthly compensation effective January 1, 2003.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by some occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, raising a reasonable doubt as to entitlement to a higher disability rating. The Board finds that the benefit of the doubt should be given to the veteran, resulting in an initial 50 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including PTSD, low back disability, right leg disability, and reopening of previously denied claims.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 11, 1997, and denied for higher ratings. The effective date remains unknown.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The claims for increased ratings for the gunshot wounds to the left chest and shoulder were denied. Service connection for a stomach disability other than abdominal cramping due to volvulus of the colon was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of all relevant evidence. The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD with secondary bipolar disorder and depression, as well as the issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance and TDIU.,No specific rating was assigned in this decision.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that it is at least as likely as not attributable to a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature of the veteran's PTSD. The diabetes mellitus claim is also being remanded due to inconsistencies in the veteran's account of his exposure to herbicides in service.

The veteran's hepatitis residuals and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the PTSD receiving a 30 percent evaluation from February 2, 1994 to January 25, 1995.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is manifested by severe symptoms, and the Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is warranted.