PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and noting that the stressors are not in dispute. The decision is based on the lack of a current disability.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from July 19, 2001. The symptoms include intrusive memories, nightmares, depression, anxiety, and social isolation, resulting in moderate to severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and service connection for PTSD, hypertension, headaches, and CAD. The issues of secondary service connection will be deferred until further development is completed.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain his treatment records and conduct a psychiatric examination. The rating of PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and gastrointestinal disorder were denied. The Board found that the current manifestations of PTSD do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, while the gastrointestinal disorder did not warrant an evaluation higher than 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 70% rating for PTSD, but the claim for dermatofibroma of the right thigh remains not reopened. The effective date for the increased PTSD rating is December 15, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a 100% rating for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of any communication seeking to reopen the claim prior to February 23, 1999.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of hemorrhagic fever was denied as he has no current residuals. The issues of increased ratings for concussion, PTB, and PTSD are pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, with the current 50% ratings being the maximum allowed under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 17, 2001. The appeal for a higher rating is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 3, 1989 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and July 3, 1990 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for a duodenal ulcer was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was aggravated during service. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if the veteran currently suffers from PTSD.

The Board granted an effective date of October 29, 1999, for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus were rated as appropriate under the applicable criteria.

The Board found that the competent and probative medical evidence did not preponderate against a finding of PTSD related to service, thus denying the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and denied service connection for cancer of the colon. The veteran's anxiety disorder was not shown to be present during military service or attributable to military service. There is no evidence of current colon cancer that is related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, prostate cancer, and lumbar spine disability. The RO will further develop these claims before deciding them.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, which are necessary to establish service connection for PTSD. The low back disorder was also not linked to military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU is also denied.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to exposure to a mortar attack during his time in Vietnam.