PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, recurrent intrusive thoughts and memories, significant avoidance, emotional numbing and isolation, and increased hypervigilance. The Board finds that the veteran warrants a rating of 30 percent for PTSD from October 28, 2003.

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The RO has not attempted to verify the stressors and a VA examination is needed to determine if he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors in service, and requests that VA obtain all relevant records from the Manhattan VAMC.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is granted, with a current rating of 70 percent. The appeal regarding the June 1983 decision to deny a higher evaluation remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible evidence of an in-service stressor and current treatment for PTSD.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from April 5, 2003.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for both PTSD and dysthymia, concluding that the diagnoses were based on insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim as there is no verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his PTSD was not related to service. The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to confirmed combat-related stressors experienced during service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran died in July 2002 and had no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death. The appellant's claim is denied as there was no legal basis to the appeal.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD played a role in the development of his hypertension, which contributed to his death. The Board finds that service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of combat service and requests additional naval records for verification of claimed stressors. The veteran's claim will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU, finding that his disability picture does not warrant a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not more closely approximate a 50% rating than a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death, as well as the need for additional records related to his treatment prior to his death.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder associated with urethral stricture should be March 14, 2000.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and obtain relevant medical records. The case will be returned for further action.