PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent for the period from April 3, 2000 to September 19, 2002. From September 20, 2002 to July 31, 2003, a 50 percent rating was granted. Beginning August 1, 2003, the VA assigned a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including additional examination and VCAA compliance.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there are questions regarding the veteran's character of discharge and requires additional development to address these issues before a final decision can be made on his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a schedular evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and therefore denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU benefits, finding that the earliest date for both was August 24, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor to support his diagnosis.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The VA has not yet determined whether he should be granted a higher evaluation for his service-connected shrapnel wound to the right arm or compensation for his bilateral hearing loss prior to June 29, 2005.

The Board has denied all the veteran's claims for service connection, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of chronic conditions related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining all relevant medical records and a VA psychiatric examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden or housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board found that the veteran's genitourinary disorder manifested by sterility was not incurred or aggravated in service. The claims for depression and PTSD were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current level of impairment due to PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible rating of 100 percent, indicating that his symptoms are so severe that they render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The veteran's headaches are also considered a symptom of his PTSD and warrant a separate noncompensable rating.

The Board granted an increased evaluation to 70 percent for service-connected PTSD prior to January 24, 2002. The effective date of the award was not addressed as it is a matter of law and not subject to assignment based on evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for any action deemed appropriate.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in significant social and occupational impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have been severe and prevented substantially gainful employment since January 1, 1996. The Board has granted a 100 percent schedular evaluation for PTSD retroactive to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there is credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.