PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for the scheduling of a Travel Board Hearing at the RO in New York, New York.

The veteran's PTSD claim was denied, and he is currently rated at 30 percent for facial scars and chloracne. Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining more specific information about the veteran's activities in Vietnam and scheduling a comprehensive psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is service-connected. The VA also needs to schedule an evaluation of the veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a total rating by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including verification of stressors and psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 17, 2003. The Board finds that the veteran meets the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent.

For the period from October 15, 2001 to April 1, 2003, the veteran's PTSD was not productive of severe social and industrial impairment.,After April 1, 2003, the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in VCAA notice, missing Social Security Administration records, and incomplete medical treatment records. The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD will be readjudicated after these issues are addressed.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation from 30 to 50 percent for PTSD, reflecting moderate symptoms of the condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no credible evidence that the claimed in-service stressful experience occurred.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee condition or PTSD as a result of his service and denied both claims.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a disability manifested by hypertension or heart disease. The veteran's PTSD claim was remanded for further development and review, as the in-service stressors need to be verified. The glaucoma and early cataracts claims are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 27, 2004. The symptoms include depression, anger, irritability, intrusive memories and dreams, restricted affect, and impairment in concentration and memory which have affected his social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder and granted increased ratings for PTSD and headaches, but denied the request to reopen the claim for service connection of a back disorder. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and her headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board denied an increased rating. The issue of furunculosis of the buttocks remains unresolved.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records related to his PTSD and any disability retirement application from the post office. He should also be provided notice in compliance with Dingess/Hartman v. Nicholson.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since November 18, 1998 and was increased to 70 percent effective August 12, 2004.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, which is required when entitlement cannot be established without such an examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that his current psychiatric disability is not related to his service.