PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from May 20, 2001 to March 1, 2002. From March 2, 2002 to March 3, 2004, the rating increased to 50 percent. Since March 4, 2004, a 70 percent rating has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a search of unit records to verify an in-service stressor event and a VA psychiatric examination if a verified event is found.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent evaluation, reflecting severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection and rated at 10 percent, effective from August 28, 2000. The appeal for an earlier effective date is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The appeal of PTSD is dismissed as the veteran only wished to continue his appeal regarding hepatitis C.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his service connection claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied. The April 1970 decision assigning a noncompensable disability evaluation for parasitism was found not to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed in-service stressors for PTSD. The RO is instructed to verify these events and, if possible, arrange for a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's compensation benefits were reduced to the 10% rate effective November 5, 2003 due to incarceration for a felony conviction. The reduction was proper as the veteran was not legally entitled to full compensation during his incarceration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain clinical records from the Long Beach, California, Naval Shipyard.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with MDD. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and MDD will be considered together with the TDIU claim.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation, including an examination to determine if the PTSD alone renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for right knee pain, boot shock, bilateral feet, and PTSD. The evidence does not establish a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressors, including witnessing an air show disaster at Ramstein Air Base. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a Social and Industrial Survey Examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD, service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II, and special monthly compensation for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and nasoseptal deviation as there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed inservice stressors, and thus no basis for a diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection for these conditions is not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to personal assault and evidence from alternative sources.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.