PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50% prior to September 27, 2004, for service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary alcohol abuse. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran was exposed to a stressor during his military service. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of Hodgkin's disease is remanded due to incomplete development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for verification of alleged stressor events in service. The RO must verify any verified stressors and arrange for a VA psychiatric examination if necessary.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence, but it remains to be determined if the veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to obtain additional information regarding the veteran's reported stressor event. The issues of service connection for adjustment disorder or reaction, anxiety disorder, and depression are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying claimed stressors and obtaining clinical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 26, 1995 for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO granted increased ratings and a TDIU effective September 26, 1995.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to verify the in-service stressors and determine whether the current PTSD is related to service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD with recurrent depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including an opinion on her employability.,The veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 23, 2004 is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with her initial rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of full notice under VCAA. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is on appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of September 27, 2001 for the establishment of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim was received more than one year after the May 8, 2001 effective date for this change in regulations. The veteran's erectile dysfunction and low back disorder were not granted as service-connected conditions.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his shrapnel wound residuals are rated at 10 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been granted.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for PTSD, and skin conditions secondary to herbicide exposure were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service stressor for PTSD or credible supporting evidence for the claimed skin conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and did not address his reopened left ankle disability claim.

The Board has decided that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of the claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's stressor allegations need to be verified, and additional evidence may help determine if he experienced combat-related trauma during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying stressors for PTSD, as well as arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.