PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD as of May 5, 1999. Therefore, an effective date of January 18, 2001 for a TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining medical records from various hospitals and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 10, 2002 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The veteran's claim was received on April 10, 2002 and the RO increased his disability rating to 70 percent effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, proteinuria, and PTSD to the RO for further development. The other issues remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, prostate cancer (claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure), hypertension, and the residuals of multiple CVAs. The medical evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a leg disorder are granted. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether there is a link between the current lumbar spine disorders and service, but not enough to establish service connection based on direct service connection.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities since the day after discharge from active duty on March 15, 1994. The Board granted an effective date of March 16, 1994 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant occupational and social impairment, including difficulty maintaining relationships and employment. The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and has diagnosed PTSD related to these combat experiences, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD warrants an initial 70 percent evaluation for the period from May 2, 1991 to September 26, 2002 and a total schedular evaluation effective September 27, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent, as her symptoms do not warrant an evaluation of 70 percent under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service traumatic events and PTSD diagnosis. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after further investigation.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective from May 15, 2000. He also received an effective date of May 15, 2000 for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling from March 21, 2003 to present. For the period April 12, 2001 to March 20, 2003, he was previously rated at 30 percent for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of evidence meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information and need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, which are necessary for a determination on his PTSD claim. The RO is instructed to obtain more specific information from the veteran and attempt to verify the alleged events.