PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran did not have PTSD as a result of active military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and he is therefore denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a combined rating in excess of 90 percent due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, while his bilateral hearing loss disability is noncompensable.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his PTSD claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying the relationship between his stress levels and alcohol abuse.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his request. The issue remains the same: entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, alcoholism, residuals of a back injury, residuals of cold injury to the hands and feet, or emphysema. The decision is based on the presumption of soundness at entry into service and the lack of evidence showing aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that she does not currently have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that an evaluation in excess of this rating is denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of severe social and industrial impairment, with occupational and social impairment that more nearly approximates deficiencies in most areas and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to errors in previous decisions regarding verification of service stressors and consideration of relevant legal precedents.

The VA has increased the veteran's initial rating for PTSD with alcohol and drug abuse from 30 percent to 50 percent, effective May 12, 1995.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, but denied the claim for an increased rating. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records, including VA hospital records. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including PTSD, diabetes, and various musculoskeletal conditions. The RO is instructed to issue a statement of the case for these claims and afford the veteran an opportunity to perfect his appeals.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete information and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of the veteran's PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors. The issue of whether other psychiatric disorders are related to service remains pending.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD for the period commencing on May 14, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and tendon laceration of the left hand, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claim for service connection for PTSD.