PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and COPD. The diagnoses of PTSD, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and COPD were not related to his military service.

The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinions regarding the veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD and his left arm disability.

The VA has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective December 5, 2003. However, the case was remanded and later the RO increased the rating to 100 percent effective July 7, 2006.

The veteran's hypertension and PTSD claims are pending, with the hypertension claim remaining in appellate status. The RO should schedule a personal hearing for the veteran to address both claims.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his PTSD from the current 70 percent to a higher rating. The case has been remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The veteran's PTSD symptoms did not produce severe impairment in work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood during the period from February 15, 1996 to November 9, 2001. The symptoms were such that she could maintain employment.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD and scar of the right foot, status post shrapnel wound, are both service-connected. The VA has granted a compensable evaluation for his scar but denied an increased evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it, as new evidence has been received that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and proper notice under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a).

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the September 2000 rating decision. However, the claim is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy or provided credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his combat experiences during service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it only results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service aboard USS Decatur in May 1964, during which his ship was struck by an aircraft carrier causing severe damage, provided sufficient exposure to a stressor for PTSD. The Court upheld this determination and ruled that the veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD with a verified stressor.

The March 30, 1979 rating decision to reduce the veteran's disability compensation for organic brain syndrome from 50 percent to 30 percent was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).,The July 22, 1995 rating decision to grant service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder with organic brain syndrome and assign an effective date of January 31, 1994 was also not based on CUE.