PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the claim was not filed until April 5, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Regional Office. The effective date of any service connection or rating decision will be determined based on the outcome of the hearing and further review.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational impairment.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by severe occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and low blood pressure with chronic dizziness and lightheadedness. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcoholism contributed to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's PTSD, which was rated at 30 percent prior to September 22, 2004, is shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates that of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships. As of May 29, 2002, the veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be productive of a level of incapacity that more nearly approximates an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied as his August 1983 application for service connection for PTSD was deemed abandoned due to failure to respond within one year. The Board also noted that the June 2001 application submitted by the veteran, which sought service connection for various disabilities including PTSD, was not received until March 2002.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The decision concluded that the veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, isolation, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, resulting in a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 60.

The VA has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records from the veteran's primary care physician and therapy groups. The veteran is currently rated at 50% for PTSD.

The veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including chronic back pain, left-sided weakness from a stroke, and PTSD, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to his conditions and grants a permanent and total rating for pension purposes.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and depression as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, finding credible evidence of in-service stressors and medical nexus.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. However, the appeal regarding PTSD was not timely filed and is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's attempt to reopen her claim for service connection for the veteran's cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for retroactive disability compensation at the $2,163 monthly rate from March 1, 1998 is denied as VA has no authority to revise specific rates of entitlement provided by statute.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective December 14, 2001. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired bayonet wounds to shoulders and legs, as well as PTSD. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of in-service injury or treatment related to these conditions, and no competent medical opinion linking current shoulder and leg problems to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his schizoaffective disorder, but confirmed a 50% disability rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.