PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms are consistent with mild to moderate severity.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from February 1, 2005.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the February 1981 rating decision, which denied service connection for PTSD, was based on CUE. Therefore, an effective date of April 11, 1980 (the date PTSD was added to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities) is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is due to verified in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, and total disability evaluation due to service-connected disability prior to June 20, 1996 were denied.

The evidence does not support a finding that the veteran developed PTSD as a result of active military service in Vietnam.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. He also received a noncompensable evaluation for hearing loss in his right ear prior to December 23, 2002 and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from that date.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but has remanded it for further development and examination.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the appellant's combat experience in Korea is sufficient to presume his diagnosis of PTSD. The claimant's history of psychiatric symptoms was considered, with the VA examiners' diagnoses differing from a private psychiatrist's diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no verified in-service stressor to support the diagnosis.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD with depression did not have its onset in service and is not the result of an injury sustained, a disease contracted, or an event experienced in active military service. The veteran's migraine headaches also did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, irritability, sleep impairment, memory loss, social withdrawal, hyperarousal, hypervigilance, and numbing of feelings. The VA examination and outpatient treatment records indicate a GAF score of 60, which corresponds to mild to moderate PTSD. Therefore, the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, shell fragment wounds of the right and left legs, and a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation and additional records, including treatment from a VA psychiatrist.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 9, 1970 for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and assigned a 70 percent schedular evaluation effective that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support reopening the claim for PTSD or establishing service connection for hepatitis C or diabetes mellitus.