PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is warranted from August 28, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a cardiac disability, as well as his claim for disability benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various medical conditions including MRSA sepsis, L2-3 epidural abscess/discitis, right elbow bursitis, right eye blindness, abscess pockets in the pelvis, cardiac problems, weakness and numbness of lower legs/right side of body, tumor of right chest/breast bone, and tumor of left buttock/tailbone. The Board also denied his claims for TDIU, SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A), and SMP based on being housebound.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with recurrent depression and a TDIU during the period from April 17, 2002 to April 17, 2003. The evidence showed moderate social and occupational impairment due to PTSD but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD, service connection for hypertension, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder and arm disorders, as well as right leg and hip disorders resulting from VA medical procedures, were all denied due to lack of evidence or failure to report for examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors occurred during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU, finding that his PTSD alone did not warrant a higher disability evaluation or preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors, and the veteran did not provide sufficient details to enable VA to pursue verification.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder does not prevent him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to inadequate notice regarding alternative sources of information to verify the occurrence of his claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The other issues regarding increased rating and TDIU were not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional outpatient mental health treatment records from March 1990 through August 1990, including those at the U.S. Army Hospital in Nuremberg, Germany.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed residuals of a head injury were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also addressed, but is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the veteran's service stressors and obtain treatment records from Dr. Park, the VA clinic in Vineland, New Jersey, and the veteran's wife.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 1, 2005 and for an effective date prior to December 24, 2003 for service connection of PTSD. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD during the period at issue.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2004 and increased to 50 percent as of that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including stressor verification and medical examinations to determine the etiology of various conditions.