PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD in May 1998, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's military service discharge was under dishonorable conditions, and thus a bar to VA benefits. The claim for new evidence to reopen this issue is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for major depression as secondary to residuals of removal of sebaceous cyst, left cheek. However, the evidence does not support a finding that PTSD is related to service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for housebound status benefits is moot as the aid and attendance rate is greater. Specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant claims are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it. The issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus is also addressed, with a VA examination scheduled.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the low back disability prior to May 5, 2005. However, it granted a rating of 20 percent beginning on May 5, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent rating, representing total social and occupational impairment.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood since April 26, 2004. The effective date is set at that time.

The Board has scheduled the veteran for a Travel Board hearing to address his claims of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements under the law.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective June 21, 2003. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by intrusive thoughts, paranoia, occasional hallucinations, severe startle reaction with irritability and sweating, daily panic attacks, sleep disturbance, flashbacks, avoidance of people including some of his own children, 'daymares', loss of temper, trouble concentrating, depression, isolation, and mental numbness. His current Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score is 40.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation beyond 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and the relationship between his coronary artery disease and PTSD.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the New York RO.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and no effective date prior to August 30, 2004 for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that additional examination and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, heart disability, and flat feet.

Throughout the rating period on appeal, the veteran's PTSD was manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the DRO and further development of his claims.