PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further verification of stressors. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation of 70 percent for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), effective from January 8, 2003. The symptoms include social and industrial impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, relationships, and mood.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no evidence or information indicating that he wished to reopen his nervous disorder claim prior to April 30, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected back disability is found to be of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence showed that his PTSD alone did not render him unemployable, but rather contributed to his inability to work due to other physical disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's PTSD was not incurred or aggravated in service, as the claimed stressors could not be independently corroborated.

The Board finds that the veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, identified as major depression, which was incurred by active military service and grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VCAA notice and potential in-service personal assault stressor.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by irritability, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, a mildly constricted affect, reported impairment in memory and a GAF of 40 without total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for an increased initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD have been met.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent from January 1, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The RO must obtain all relevant records, including vocational rehabilitation records and any outstanding service personnel records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's PTSD.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the claim. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits is remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 8, 1980 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy is pending.

The Board found no evidence that the service-connected PTSD caused or contributed to the veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected PTSD is being remanded to allow for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of medical evidence showing a current diagnosis. The claims for service connection for hypertension and bronchial asthma are pending as there is no clear indication that these conditions had their onset in service.