PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and PTSD. However, due to the lack of verified stressors related to his Coast Guard service, the claim for PTSD cannot be granted. The claim for service connection for a back disorder is remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The veteran will also undergo a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 100 percent disability evaluation, effective from May 7, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that neither his participation in combat nor a verified stressor supported the diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of corroborated stressors and the veteran's admission that he had lied about being in Vietnam.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and his left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating. The TDIU claim was granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board found that the acne vulgaris did not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation, and major depression was not related to active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further proceedings due to deficiencies in VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD, were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD. His claim for a higher evaluation for spastic torticollis was denied, and he was also denied TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and consideration of additional medical evidence.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The veteran currently suffers from PTSD as a result of stressors experienced during his period of military service, including seeing a bloated body in the water off the side of his ship on his first day on the gunline.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA compensation examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and whether hepatitis C is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing before the Board due to the veteran's request.

The VA denied a rating in excess of the current 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms primarily include nightmares, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and sleep impairment without near continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function independently.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD. The case has been remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.