PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a fracture of the jaw, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The veteran now has an opportunity to present additional evidence in support of these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and the residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh were denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of fragment wounds of the back and buttocks was also denied.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by ongoing symptoms of depression, difficulty sleeping due to recurring nightmares, intrusive thoughts of Vietnam, irritability, anger outbursts, social isolation, and a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 48, resulting in severe social and occupational impairment. The criteria for an initial rating of 70 percent but no higher are met.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed in-service stressors are consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service and supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of verified stressors in service, and thus concluded that his diagnosis of PTSD was not based on a verified in-service event.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent for the period from May 13, 1986 to April 20, 1998 and increased to 100 percent effective November 17, 2000.

The Board granted an effective date of September 25, 2000 for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The veteran's claim was denied before this effective date.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ganglion cyst of the left wrist, hypertension, bipolar disorder with depression, PTSD, and joint pain, have been denied. The appeals are pending on remand.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased evaluation to 70 percent effective January 12, 1994. The claim for TDIU prior to April 18, 1995, was denied as the evidence showed he had been working full-time until that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining corroborating evidence from non-military sources and scheduling a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining VA, Vet Center, and Social Security records, arranging for a psychiatric examination, and considering service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and clinical opinion regarding service connection for PTSD, as well as incomplete service personnel records. The veteran's claim will be reviewed after additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or an undiagnosed illness manifested by mood swings, insomnia, memory loss, fatigue, or nervousness as a result of his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment that most nearly approximates total, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus. The veteran served in Vietnam but there is no competent medical evidence showing he currently has PTSD.

The Board has determined that further evidence is needed to verify the veteran's exposure to enemy fire during his service in Vietnam, which could potentially affect his claim for PTSD. The case is being remanded for an effort to obtain unit records from CURR.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus or PTSD, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.