PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The VA has granted the veteran's claim for PTSD, assigning a 30 percent disability rating effective April 20, 2004. The veteran is currently rated at the 30 percent level.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported in-service stressors occurred and are related to his current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, but denied both his direct service connection claim and his presumptive service connection claim based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and sleep disturbance, do not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred in March 2003 at a non-VA hospital is granted due to the presence of an emergency and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board found that the appellant's back disability, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated during service. The current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating for the period from November 30, 2001 to May 31, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 10, 2002 for service connection of PTSD. The decision found that the veteran did not apply to reopen his claim until June 10, 2002.

The veteran's request for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depression. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from November 1999. The claim for service connection of neurological disorder and residuals of a head wound was denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for further development, including another VA mental status examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and gastroenteritis. The claim to reopen a low back disorder was also denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. However, his claims for higher initial evaluations of his right eye condition and chronic headaches were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and a skin condition on the legs are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neurological disorder, back disorder, urinary tract disorder, eye disorder, prostate disorder, vertigo, PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and headaches. The denial is based on the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's in-service stressors are verified and he currently has PTSD as a result of these stressors. The claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, right knee disability, back disability, and ulcers (secondary to PTSD) is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension secondary to PTSD due to incomplete development of evidence. The veteran will be provided additional notice letters, a VA psychiatric examination, and a VA cardiology examination as needed.