PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional notification and development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but only at a 30 percent evaluation. The appeal is about whether this initial evaluation should be higher.

The veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The RO has already granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, but the veteran believes he should receive a higher rating. He contends that his PTSD symptoms have increased in severity, forcing him to quit working and requiring weekly treatment from VA. However, the RO did not conduct a current VA psychiatric examination as required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities were not severe enough to have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to his death. The appellant's claim for TDIU for accrued benefits purposes is therefore denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability, finding that no evidence was provided within one year prior to April 30, 2002, which could be construed as an informal claim or show factual ascertainability of increased disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability evaluation effective from January 8, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a chronic acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as no medical evidence of PTSD was found.

The Board has vacated the part of its March 15, 2004 decision that denied service connection for PTSD and will address this issue in a separate decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had been presented but ultimately denying the claim.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for service-connected PTSD, finding that the veteran's total occupational and social impairment warrants this level of disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of PTSD, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed stressors are not confirmed, and therefore his PTSD is not service-connected. The skin condition and diabetes mellitus type II have also been denied as they are not linked to exposure to herbicides or ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify service records and stressor claims, as well as to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies, including failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and need for further development of alternative sources of supporting evidence.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, which he claims is related to being bitten by a snake during service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.