PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has granted the veteran's motion to advance his case on the docket and found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in reducing his disability rating for PTSD from 100% to 70% effective March 23, 1998.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment both prior to and since May 1, 2002. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective May 1, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not present new and material information.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records, particularly from his incarceration at Crossroads Correction Center.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's experiences in Vietnam are sufficient to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 30 percent rating for PTSD, both effective February 19, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for an additional VA examination to address the nature and extent of his PTSD, including any symptoms related to a work injury in May 1993. Staged ratings may be considered if warranted.

The veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and prostatitis. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including verifying stressor claims and scheduling a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher disability rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence, including verifying stressors alleged by the veteran during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues are an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder, which is the highest schedular rating available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current PTSD to an in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability including PTSD, a skin disorder identified as mild recurrent itching with lichen simplex, and hypertension. The veteran's colds and flu-like symptoms are not considered due to undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's PTSD with secondary dysthymic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest initial rating available under VA guidelines. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, and mood. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation are met.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish PTSD based on a verified stressor event. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a compensable evaluation for malaria. The VA found no evidence of diagnosed PTSD, and the veteran's malaria disability picture was not considered exceptional or unusual.

The veteran's sole service-connected disability, PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his PTSD alone prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The VA has now reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder due to new evidence provided since the previous decisions.