PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which he currently has rated at 30 percent. The VA Regional Office (RO) needs to review the expanded medical records and determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's claim was not timely filed and there was no evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD prior to August 31, 1995.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100 percent since February 1, 1985. The claim for TDIU is denied as the veteran already has a 100 percent rating.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of stressful experiences during military service, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran suffers from PTSD resulting from combat experiences.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active military service and granted service connection for it. The veteran is also entitled to a higher disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD, as the evidence shows an increase in severity since the last evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD alone does not preclude him from engaging in all types of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus denying both the increased evaluation for PTSD and the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 10, 1997 for service connection of PTSD was granted. His claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and increased disability evaluation for residuals of abdominal surgery were denied.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss. The Board grants a higher initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD effective from August 19, 2000.

The veteran's PTSD was found to be severe and disabling, warranting a 100% evaluation from March 26, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right wrist fracture, service connection for right knee disability, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability. The RO found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating or service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of his right knee disability and a total rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression secondary to the right knee disability was also denied.

The veteran's fee-basis outpatient medical care was properly discontinued as the VA facilities in Danville, Illinois were deemed capable of providing the required care.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of material evidence, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the appellant's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymia, is a lifetime impairment sufficient to render him unemployable. The veteran also meets the criteria for non-service connected pension due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses due to a lack of an emergent condition and no VA facilities being feasibly available.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted and currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective October 23, 1992. The Board found that the veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to combat-related stressors reported during his active duty in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for PTSD and a total disability rating based on unemployability, as well as an increased evaluation for tonsillectomy residuals. The decision is mixed, with some issues granted and others not.