PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to comply with the duty to assist, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as a new examination of the veteran's PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted. The evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD with its onset likely related to childhood trauma, but also exacerbated by in-service stressors. Service connection is established based on new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran witnessed a stressor event in Vietnam, which is sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor related to his service. As such, the claim for PTSD based on service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for a 100 percent schedular disability rating for PTSD was granted in October 2001 with an effective date of October 21, 1997. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date based on the lack of evidence showing total occupational and social impairment prior to October 17, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD caused by any event during his active military service and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his residuals of a left wrist injury are rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus cause aggravation of his heart disease, representing approximately one-quarter of the current disability. The Board has granted service connection for this portion of his arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation assigned. The other claims were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical center records and considering the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and additional VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination and requests that additional evidence be submitted, including treatment records from sources identified by the veteran. The claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 2003, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's 100 percent schedular evaluation for PTSD, effective to the date of her initial claim, has been granted and is considered permanent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there was no timely substantive appeal filed with respect to the issue of an increased disability rating for service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent from August 21, 1998, to March 3, 1999; raised to 50 percent effective March 4, 1999, and further raised to 70 percent since October 14, 2002.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of PTSD related to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence showing symptoms related to PTSD during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the period preceding May 18, 2004.,For the period on and after May 18, 2004, the veteran is entitled to a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.