PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by distressing intrusive memories, flashbacks, social isolation, withdrawal, irritability, anger outbursts, and sleep disturbance which produce occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family, relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, panic attacks, difficulty with memory and concentration, nervousness, irritability, limited social contact, the need for continuous medication including sleep aids, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 60 to 80. The RO determined that his July 2003 substantive appeal was not timely filed following a September 1999 denial of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective September 12, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on evidence showing a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and a link between the current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed stressors and the basis for the diagnosis of PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to verify the in-service stressor related to a sailor jumping overboard, as well as the stressor related to a propeller accident. They are also asked to clarify the basis for the diagnosis of combat-related PTSD.

The VA has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is directly related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran was seen at the Comanche County Memorial Hospital for his service-connected PTSD on an emergent basis due to a threat of self-harm or harm to others. The VA facilities were not feasibly available, and treatment was provided as a medical emergency.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for further development and compliance with VCAA requirements, including obtaining additional treatment records from Dr. T.H., scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and providing notice as required under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103A.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest possible date is January 6, 2003.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. However, service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as it is related to his in-service back injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his laceration scar of the right lower leg, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable rating criteria. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of corroborated stressor. Service connection was also denied for renal cell carcinoma and hypertension, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty or presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for reopening the sensorineural hearing loss claim was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in August 1990 due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, which was deemed necessary to reconcile her diagnosis of PTSD. The decision is now being reviewed on the grounds of CUE.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found that there was no current medical diagnosis of PTSD, and the veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The RO granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective November 19, 2002. However, the higher initial rating of 30 percent was awarded by the RO in August 2005 but denied any higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence for his passive-aggressive personality disorder claim, and found that a nervous disorder (including PTSD and major depression) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and determine if they are sufficient to establish service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.