PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to a confirmed in-service stressor involving witnessing the aftermath of a soldier's suicide during his deployment to Bosnia. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and/or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, is reasonably of service origin. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 50 percent or higher for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD from January 23, 2003, based on severe occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The effective date for service connection remains February 25, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and need for further development of service personnel records.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service, specifically during his active duty in Vietnam. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service. The claim for residuals of radiation therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will also be remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his PTSD claim. The case is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The appellant has established entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 based on the veteran's total disability rating due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a disability manifested by decreased libido and lethargy, presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange. The effective date of the 100% evaluation for PTSD was not addressed as it had already been granted in September 2004.

The Board has granted an initial and increased rating of 20 percent for the service-connected left ankle disability, effective from January 17, 2001 to July 29, 2002. The veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical dysplasia and cervicitis, tubal collapse, and salpingitis due to sexual trauma during service are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disease, including chloracne as due to exposure to herbicides. The veteran's claim was not supported by competent evidence showing a causal link between his current condition and any incident of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and a need for further development of his address information.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the proper effective date for an award of a total rating by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is April 22, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection.

The veteran's appeal of the RO's finding that his PTSD was granted in June 1997 with an effective date of February 19, 1997 is denied. The case is remanded for further consideration on the basis of CUE.