PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied his claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and a prior effective date. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and earlier effective dates are referred back to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective August 22, 2002. The veteran's hearing loss was not found to be related to service or warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of stressors and a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 15, 1989 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded to determine the appropriate initial rating for PTSD from June 15, 1989 to May 22, 1997.

The April 8, 1993 rating decision granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent evaluation.,In December 1998, the RO issued a rating decision granting a 100 percent schedular evaluation for the service-connected PTSD based on VA examinations conducted in November 1997 and November 1998 that found the veteran to be unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for unit records and Social Security Administration records, as well as a thorough VA examination. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD caused by any event during his service, and there is no evidence linking bone spurs of the feet to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent from September 27, 1995 to January 9, 1997 and at 70 percent since January 10, 1997.,PTSD disability was granted effective August 1, 2004.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to new stressors claimed by the veteran's representative and potential verification of combat-related events.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, leading to a denial of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was found to have caused considerable impairment, but not severe enough for a higher initial evaluation. On and after December 31, 2002, the disability caused significant occupational and social impairment warranting a total schedular evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD was initially granted and rated at 10 percent prior to October 29, 2002. From October 29, 2002 to November 7, 2004, the rating was increased to 30 percent. Since then, the condition has been rated at 50 percent effective from November 8, 2004.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the veteran's death and whether service connection can be established for PTSD. The appellant must provide evidence supporting her claims, including any relevant medical records or police reports.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective March 29, 2003. Service connection for psoriasis is also granted based on new evidence.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, maintaining the previous denial.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence to support the veteran's assertions of in-service exposure or a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder should be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if new and material evidence has been submitted.