PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The RO found that March 5, 1976 is not the appropriate date for the award of compensation as he had a psychiatrically diagnosed disorder at that time, which was later determined to be PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. However, the Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2002.,PTSD was previously rated as 30 percent prior to February 25, 2000 and as 50 percent between February 25, 2000 and August 1, 2002. The current rating of 70 percent is effective since August 1, 2002.,The veteran's left wrist disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 22, 2001 and at 20 percent since that date.

The veteran's claim for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied because he does not meet the eligibility requirements due to his only service-connected disability being PTSD, which is rated as permanent and total. The veteran needs adaptations to his home due to dizziness related to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be set at August 22, 1997. However, due to a liberalizing law in place since May 1993, which relieved combat veterans' burden of proving an in-service stressor, the claim was originally filed prior to this change and thus can benefit from retroactive application.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher disability rating, maintaining the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed in-service stressors have not been corroborated by credible supporting evidence. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and headaches, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's eye disability is rated at 100% due to his legally blind condition in both eyes.,Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was denied as the veteran does not require regular assistance.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether it renders him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of videoconference hearing and additional evidence needs to be reviewed.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors and conduct a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The veteran's PTSD is found to be due to stressors experienced during his active service in Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD is December 1, 1991, as this was the earliest date on which the veteran's service-connected disability warranted such an evaluation based on his inability to obtain or retain employment due to PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent since April 14, 1997. As of September 15, 1997, the rating increased to 100 percent due to severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has directed the RO to issue a statement of the case (SOC) regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The veteran is advised that he must respond to the SOC if he wishes to continue his appeal.

The veteran's PTSD was granted effective December 2, 2004, with a rating of 30 percent. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran's PTSD did not cause definite social or occupational impairment from May 3, 1996 to January 26, 1999. Therefore, the criteria were not met for an initial rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it resulted from a verified in-service stressor involving his best friend's death during combat.