PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to incomplete notice, need for SSA records, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 14, 2000 for the grant of total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of a formal or informal claim received within one year of May 16, 1994 when it was ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner will be asked to determine whether the veteran's alcohol dependence is a symptom of his PTSD and if it should be considered in rating his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and lung disorder, inclusive of COPD, were incurred in service. The VA will now proceed to assign a rating for the lung disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disease is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and to clarify the basis of his Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD disability picture does not more nearly approximate the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent under the criteria of Diagnostic Code 9411. The RO denied entitlement to higher evaluations for PTSD and hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted an initial disability evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a result of his active military service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational impairment since February 1, 2000, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's compression fracture at T12-L1, prior to May 29, 1996, and denied a higher initial evaluation for PTSD, prior to October 28, 1999.

For the period prior to December 20, 2000, the veteran's schizophrenia was rated at 10 percent.,For the period from December 20, 2000, the veteran's PTSD and schizophrenia were rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for additional compensation for a child over age 18 was denied as there is no evidence showing that his daughter, M.M.H., pursued a course of instruction at an approved educational institution after she reached the age of 18 and before her 23rd birthday.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for PTSD, urethral stricture, and residuals of surgery to the left hand and fingers. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions did not provide new or material evidence.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, but the Board finds that further development is needed to determine if the claimed in-service stressors are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining more specific details about the veteran's claimed stressors and verifying them.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD, as it does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence regarding stressors claimed by the veteran. The VBA AMC must attempt to obtain additional service personnel records or other documentation that would support the veteran's accounts of his experiences in Vietnam.