PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was dismissed as the appellant withdrew it in February 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is secondary to his alcohol abuse. The service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder since February 28, 2002. The criteria for this rating are met due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying the veteran's exposure to combat-related stressors. The claims for low back injury, rectal bleeding, PTSD, and sleep disorder will be remanded for additional examination and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, thus denying the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his in-service stressors and granted service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, and her joint pain, headaches, weakness and tiredness, memory loss, and sleep disturbance are also found to be related to her Gulf War service.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% prior to November 15, 2000. It was then increased to 50% from that date until May 19, 2004. After May 20, 2004, the rating for PTSD was not changed. The veteran also received a TDIU effective May 20, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD resulted in total social and industrial impairment since February 25, 2001. The effective date for this rating is not specified as it was assigned prospectively.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and failure to schedule a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is pending.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for left ear hearing loss. The claims for residuals of a CVA, hypertension, and PTSD are also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination of his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to the presence of diagnosed PTSD and corroborated in-service stressors.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The case has been remanded due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether it is linked to an in-service sexual assault. The VA will obtain relevant medical records, conduct a psychiatric examination, and readjudicate the claim.

The RO denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The effective date remains April 17, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and PTSD, as well as his increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis, a third degree burn scar of the left ankle, and a scar of the right knee. The evidence received since the October 1961 rating decision was found to be cumulative or immaterial.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted. The current rating is 30 percent, effective May 22, 2002.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that May 31, 1994 is the earliest possible effective date.