PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to scheduling issues. A travel board hearing at the RO will be scheduled.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication of his claim for service connection for PTSD.

PTSD was initially granted with a 30 percent evaluation, effective September 27, 1999. A subsequent rating of 70 percent is now granted as of June 13, 2003.,IBS was granted with a 10 percent evaluation, effective September 27, 1999.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for PTSD was granted. Effective from February 26, 1999, the veteran received a 30% disability evaluation for PTSD. The RO also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability starting May 5, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. An examination is also required to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The VA denied a higher rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's condition did not warrant an increase beyond the current 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 21, 1997 and increased to 70 percent from April 21, 1997 until October 1, 2001. The Board granted a TDIU based on the service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The disability causes significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his hypertension, which in turn caused his stroke and death. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a neurologic examination. The issues of increased ratings for the left wrist disability and PTSD are also being addressed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 1, 1999, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The RO initially granted service connection in December 1998 and increased the disability rating to 50 percent in December 1998. A subsequent increase to 100 percent was assigned effective from April 1, 1999 based on a VA examination report.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted, eventually to a 30 percent evaluation from March 11, 1998 to February 9, 2004, and a 70 percent evaluation from February 10, 2004. The appeal is REMANDED due to the need to obtain SSA records and VA disability retirement records.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the August 1985 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. The claim was denied on the merits due to lack of evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD at that time. An effective date prior to December 22, 1995, for the grant of service connection and a 100% disability rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, and major depressive disorder are all service-connected. The bipolar disorder claim is denied.

The veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher evaluation.