PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, leading to increased impairment in social and occupational functioning. The VA has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective November 3, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not warrant such determinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and PTSD diagnosis. The veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating since December 10, 2001.

The Board finds that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis, is service-connected and grants a rating of 40 percent. The psychiatric disability claim is denied. The right thoracic outlet syndrome is granted restoration to a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes, as his combined rating is only 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been granted, but the case is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and considering whether staged ratings are warranted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records, including those from his inpatient treatment at the Little Rock VA Medical Center. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no confirmed in-service stressor.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from April 28, 2003.

For the period from October 25, 2000, to April 22, 2003, the veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near continuous depression affecting function, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that his PTSD contributed to or caused his cancer, which was listed as an underlying cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and readjudicate the claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Vet Center records and verifying any in-service stressors. The veteran will be scheduled for a VA PTSD examination if verified stressors are found.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability other than PTSD during or within one year after the veteran's active duty service. The veteran's claims for depression and major depressive disorder were not substantiated by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration of the claim for service connection for PTSD due to in-service stressors.