PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for Organic Brain Syndrome. The Organic Brain Syndrome claim is based on a direct link to an inservice head trauma, while the PTSD claim is supported by evidence of an in-service stressor corroborated by USASCRUR.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the cause of death (pneumonia due to or a consequence of dementia) is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The appellant is therefore not entitled to Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a disability rating of 70 percent effective February 19, 1997. A total rating based on individual unemployability was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, concluding that the in-service stressors were not sufficient to result in PTSD and that the current diagnosis of PTSD was related to post-military trauma.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective from January 24, 1989, based on new evidence submitted after the previous denial in July 1988.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old schedular criteria, as his symptoms do not result in severe impairment of social and industrial functioning.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The appellant's contentions and lay statements do not serve as credible supporting evidence of the in-service occurrence of the claimed stressor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of PTSD. The issue is now reviewed based on all available evidence, including recent VA medical records and alleged inservice stressors.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's PTSD, which was previously rated at 10 percent. The new rating is effective as of the date of this decision.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 1, 1997. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of symptoms warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim of a psychiatric disorder.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as it results in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has restored a 60% evaluation for the below-knee amputation of the right leg, effective from February 1, 1995. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%, and he receives separate evaluations for his forearm scar and knee/hip arthritis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a failure by the RO to complete all requested development, including attempting to corroborate the veteran's alleged in-service stressful experiences and scheduling him for an examination by a VA psychiatrist.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD and no established combat-related stressor.

The disability picture presented by the veteran's service-connected PTSD more nearly approximates the criteria for a 50 percent schedular evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that this condition is related to his service, specifically his experiences in Vietnam. The issue of whether he committed willful misconduct during service remains unresolved.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD and a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left knee with retained fragment, effective April 25, 1995. The head injury evaluation remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in April 1991, and he did not appeal. The effective date for his grant of service connection for PTSD is set at April 20, 1993.