PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not include significant impairment in thought processes, communication, or social functioning.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms warranted a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and there is no evidence linking his claimed symptoms to an in-service stressor. As such, service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed stressors were not verified and he did not have combat duty. The diagnosis of PTSD was first made many years after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the veteran not receiving a copy of the January 2005 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent evaluation, representing total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining ship's logs and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The VA has granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD as of June 1, 2003. The veteran's service-connected PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his combat experiences in Vietnam are related to his current diagnosis. The claims of increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from December 18, 2002 onwards. The rating for PTSD prior to that date was also granted. A compensable rating for prostate cancer and a separate rating for impotence are not warranted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection were all denied, including those related to fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle and joint pain, a skin condition, sleep disturbances and respiratory symptoms.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,Claims for other conditions were not supported by the evidence.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU is moot because he has already been granted a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, effective August 4, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Ferrier and ensuring the VA examiner has reviewed all relevant examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including arranging a VA examination to confirm or rule out PTSD and determine if exposure to mortar attacks in Vietnam is a stressor upon which the diagnosis is based.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD was denied by operation of law due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the veteran has PTSD, and a VA examination is needed to determine this.