PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board denied a separate compensable evaluation for the veteran's headaches, finding that they are part and parcel of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and outstanding VA treatment records. The veteran must provide specific details about his alleged stressful events in service, including dates, locations, and names of individuals involved.

The Board previously denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from May 31, 2000. The Court has vacated this decision and remanded the case to the Board for further action.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and his claim for a TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the favorable rating decision on PTSD.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD, which is currently rated at 10 percent. The RO has reduced the evaluation to noncompensable and then increased it back to 10 percent. This case is being remanded due to VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, which is more than the current assigned rating of 30 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to further development of evidence being needed, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was manifested by difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships, deep depression, fixation on memories of Vietnam, nightmares twice per month, moderate generalized paranoia, and being easily startled causing irritability and isolation. The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his reported stressors and obtain a more definitive medical opinion regarding the connection between his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities and service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed or aggravated his fatal arteriosclerotic heart disease, which was listed as an underlying cause of death.

The veteran's PTSD disability was rated at 70% effective May 4, 2000, and he became eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as of that date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and denied it. The PTSD issue was remanded due to insufficient verification of claimed stressors.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating effective from June 29, 2001.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The veteran seeks a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and determine whether the veteran's PTSD is aggravated by his hypertension and cerebrovascular accidents, as well as to adjudicate any related secondary service connection claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify stressors and conduct a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to attempt verification of in-service stressors for PTSD. The RO will also arrange for a VA dermatology examination.