PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that he incurred PTSD during his active duty service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressful events during the veteran's time at Da Nang Air Base.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective October 15, 2001. The RO increased the rating to 50 percent effective October 15, 2001. The current appeal is for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's experiences in Vietnam provided sufficient evidence of a stressor to support his claim. The other issues involving heart disease and reopening previously denied claims have been remanded.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent from January 31, 2003, to May 11, 2005. Since May 12, 2005, the disability has been rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the appellant's claims of service connection for a back disorder, PTSD with depression, and a bilateral knee condition was not submitted. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed PTSD, including stressor verification and medical records. The veteran is asked to provide additional information about his service stressors and VA will seek out relevant medical records.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is insufficient evidence to corroborate her claimed in-service personal assault events and thus denying her claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, starting December 13, 2003. An effective date of December 13, 2003 is assigned for TDIU.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need to apply the most favorable version of the criteria, including staged ratings if warranted. The appeal will be returned to the Board after further review.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from April 29, 2003. He also has headaches and dizziness that are separately rated at 10 percent. The higher initial rating for PTSD remains in effect.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 24, 2003 for a 70% disability rating for PTSD. The RO determined that this was the earliest date by which the increase in disability was factually ascertainable.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports reopening the claim, but denied the claim on the merits.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective November 9, 2005. Prior to this date, the condition warranted a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a higher disability rating, as they do not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified stressor and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD with memory loss due to residuals of a head injury and concussion, effective July 25, 2005. The evaluations for the right lower leg and right shoulder disabilities remain unchanged.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has remanded the issue of an apportionment of the veteran's VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of his spouse and minor child due to incomplete notification under the VCAA. The appellant is requested to provide relevant court documentation, complete Financial Status Reports (VA Form 20-5655), and respond to a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.