PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective August 22, 1995. He is also entitled to a temporary 100 percent rating based on hospitalization for PTSD from September 11, 1995, to January 31, 1996.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the current appeal for service connection of PTSD. The RO must attempt to verify any claimed but unverified stressors and conduct a VA examination if a verified stressor is found.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, thus denying the benefit sought.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging comprehensive examinations for his PTSD, hemorrhoids, anal pruritus, and service-connected conditions.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a higher evaluation has been denied.,The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD effective November 7, 2000.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in April 2000, and the RO construed a September 19, 2000 VA treatment record as his informal claim. The effective date of TDIU is set at September 19, 2000 due to the veteran meeting the percentage criteria for entitlement to TDIU. However, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of claim (July 2002), based on total social and occupational impairment.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and thus insufficient evidence to establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service event.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, as well as a higher rating for right otitis media, bilateral mastoiditis, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,There is no current disability of PTSD shown by the medical evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of her service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination with a female examiner.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 7, 1991, for a grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as his original claim was not received within one year after discharge from active duty.

The veteran's case is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the current degree of social and occupational impairment due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of October 11, 2000 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increase in a 10 percent rating for postoperative residuals of gynecomastia and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to moderate symptoms and social/occupational impairment. The issue regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied, as no new and material evidence had been received since the last final denial. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective from May 10, 2002. The total compensation claim for unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided that the veteran's PTSD warrants a remand for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess his disability level and employment status.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, neck injury, PTSD, and back injury as the evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen previously denied claims.