PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left hip disability was rated at 40 percent, the right shoulder at 20 percent, both hands at 20 percent, PTSD at 30 percent, and a bilateral knee disorder claim is pending.

The veteran's claim for additional retroactive disability compensation based on the award of a total disability evaluation for PTSD is denied as a matter of law.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 2000 through October 2000 was denied because the care provided was not for emergency medical services and VA facilities were reasonably available.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent, and he is entitled to a compensable rating for his right fifth finger fracture. However, he cannot receive TDIU due to the high rating for PTSD.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and the acquired psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder) are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation since May 18, 2000.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as it is not shown by competent credible evidence that appellant has PTSD that was incurred in, or aggravated by, military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's PTSD is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there are any service-connected stressors that can be corroborated.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to August 13, 1996.

The case is being remanded to the RO for DRO review and scheduling of a hearing before a DRO. The appellant's request for a personal hearing at his request should be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and residuals of a spinal cord injury, finding that the veteran's claims are barred due to his own willful misconduct resulting in a conviction for rape.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical records and requested a VA health care provider to review the record and provide an opinion on whether PTSD contributed to the veteran's death. The appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining social security disability records.

The Board has determined that the veteran had PTSD when his original claim for service connection was received by VA on April 1, 1986. Therefore, the effective date of the award of service connection is set at April 1, 1986.

The Board has determined that the effective date for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for PTSD/panic disorder with agoraphobia is August 8, 2000.

The veteran is awarded a 100% disability rating for PTSD from January 1, 1972 to March 31, 1973. He is granted a zero percent disability rating from April 1, 1973 to April 30, 1978. A 100% disability rating is awarded from May 1, 1978 until June 15, 1992.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a retroactive effective date for service connection were denied. The Board found that the December 1997 decision denying retroactive benefits was not appealed, and there is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in the August 15, 1947, rating decision or November 1966 RO action.