PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his death due to acute bronchopneumonia, which was exacerbated by multiple analgesic abuse.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the Board's decision is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The appeal is currently in abeyance due to the need for additional medical evidence supporting the claim that the veteran's service-connected mental disorder contributed to his death. The case will be remanded to the RO for further review.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from March 30, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of March 3, 1994 for his PTSD compensation benefits. The issue is considered res judicata due to prior final decisions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The veteran's testimony, along with VA medical records, provided sufficient information to establish a stressor related to his military service in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his claims for insomnia and PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 1, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from November 19, 1997 to October 31, 2000 and at 50 percent from November 1, 2000. The decision is mixed as it addresses different time periods with different ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The VA has ordered additional development, including obtaining counseling records from the Vet Center in Huntington, West Virginia.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD since December 2, 1998 and a 50 percent disability rating prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying a soldier's death and obtaining a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination to determine if the appellant has post-traumatic stress disorder related to service.

The veteran's PTSD renders him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine whether the appellant served on active duty in the Army from May 18, 1977 to September 1, 1977. The claim will be readjudicated based on this determination and any other relevant evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to new and material evidence submitted. The claim is granted as the diagnosis of PTSD was established during active duty, and there is credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective February 28, 2002. The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's exposure to in-service stressors and whether he engaged in combat with the enemy. The claim remains open for further research.