PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2006

The veteran's PTSD has not been manifested by the required symptoms for a higher rating, and thus his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO and sending notice of the hearing to his current address.

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The RO has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination and reconsider the claim.

The veteran's request for a videoconference hearing has been noted, and the case is being remanded to the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida, to schedule this hearing.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his attorney prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to a need to verify his claimed stressor and conduct further medical examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disability and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the currently assigned 40 percent and 70 percent evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA psychiatric examinations.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his death, and thus no effective date prior to September 28, 1990, for a grant of service connection for PTSD with schizophrenia, paranoid type, was granted.

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist in obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination for an increased rating of PTSD was not fulfilled, and thus the case is being remanded.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of symptomatology.

The veteran's chronic and severe PTSD was productive of occupational impairment, hypervigilance, intrusive dreams, social isolation, relationship dysfunction, social adjustment issues, high startle response, minimal insight, occasional passive suicidal ideation, a severely blunted affect, poor attention span, poor concentration, poor memory, and semi-delusional thinking. Resolving all doubt in favor of the veteran, the criteria for a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD from October 17, 2002 to February 2004 have been met.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim in January 1995. His right femur fracture disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective prior to December 15, 2003. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating are met.

The Board has ordered a remand for the veteran to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he currently suffers from PTSD and whether it is related to service. The case will be readjudicated after this evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 27, 2002 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision states that there is no evidence showing the veteran had PTSD before April 1980 and thus does not meet the eligibility criteria for retroactive benefits.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation for PTSD in excess of 10 percent, from December 10, 2002, and in excess of 50 percent from August 3, 2004, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.