PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no competent clinical evidence of any such conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that the new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is service-connected, with his stressors occurring during active duty aboard the USS Hawkins in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the veteran's service medical records and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination for PTSD and malaria.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication on the merits of the claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's representative submitted medical evidence that must be considered by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since June 1, 2002. The Board granted a higher rating of 70% for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to February 4, 2004. From that date until the present, his rating is 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD has been manifested by mild to moderate symptoms from September 30, 1997 to November 6, 2002. It was not productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Since November 7, 2002, it has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas but without total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is attributable to a confirmed stressor in service and grants service connection for PTSD. The rating for his left knee disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 15, 1998 for TDIU and denied his increased rating claims for PTSD, right upper extremity injuries, cervical radiculopathy of the right arm, hand and fingers, and Horner's syndrome, right side of face and eye.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2001, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50 percent, but the Board has now granted a 70 percent rating effective from May 31, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for hypertension with coronary artery disease and cardiomegaly, and service connection for an eye disability secondary to hypertension. The Board found that hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD should be set at April 11, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for PTSD, which was previously denied in April 1998. The Board also found that there is competent medical evidence showing that the veteran has PTSD and it is related to an event in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to representation and scheduling of a hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and chronic renal failure with organic hypertensive heart disease and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence regarding the claimed PTSD and depression, including verification of a stressor related to sexual assault in service. The veteran is asked to provide alternative sources of information and any relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide VCAA notice, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case to develop additional evidence regarding the veteran's reported stressors and their verifiability. The veteran will be asked to provide more details about specific incidents, and VA records will be searched for verification.