PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 30 percent and effective date set at February 4, 2005.

The Board finds that the veteran has PTSD related to his combat service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of legal merit or entitlement.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was received on January 5, 2004 and service connection was granted effective that date. The TDIU claim was also received on the same day and was granted effective January 5, 2004.,Neither of these claims had an earlier effective date as they were both received after the initial grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a direct result of his service, specifically combat experiences in Korea and Vietnam. The diagnosis was confirmed by medical evidence linking current symptoms to an in-service stressor.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and a rating of 10 percent was assigned for the period from August 20, 2002 to June 4, 2003. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective from June 5, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, left ventricular hypertrophy, sinusitis, and varicose veins. The effective date of the grant is June 5, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher. The veteran is also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD effective from February 18, 2000, finding that his symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's appeals for PTSD service connection, increased ratings for cervical spine disorder and postoperative residuals of Haglund's deformity of the heels, as well as an original rating for fibromyalgia are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest effective date allowed by law is August 16, 2000.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective May 17, 2000. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling beginning December 12, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The appeal is granted.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and the effective dates of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and residuals of a left elbow fracture are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be established.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claims regarding PTSD evaluation and effective date.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy, presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, has not been linked to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and testicular cancer. The decision found that the veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service exposure to chemicals.