PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, the residuals of a back injury, and headaches, depression, ulcers, stomach problems, and anxiety attacks due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 29, 1993 to September 21, 1994. From September 22, 1994 to March 9, 1998, the rating was increased to 70 percent due to severe social and industrial impairment. After March 10, 1998, no higher rating is warranted.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis B is denied as there is no current evidence of residuals from the condition. The claims for PTSD and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss of the right ear, and chloracne. The decision found that the veteran did not meet the burden to establish a well-grounded claim for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's PTSD was initially found to be noncompensable, but later granted a 50% rating from May 4, 1998, to December 3, 1998.,After this period, the VA determined there was no current psychiatric impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, alcohol dependence, and a sleep disorder have been denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD was granted, with a 30 percent disability rating effective from February 26, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the veteran's constrictive pericarditis is not well grounded as a claim for service connection, and denied his increased rating for PTSD. The current ratings of 50 percent are maintained.

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

The Board has found that the veteran's PTSD is directly related to his service, specifically his exposure to a B-52 crash during his time with the 824th Combat Support Group in Okinawa, Japan. The diagnosis of PTSD was supported by credible supporting evidence and medical records.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, which results in total social and occupational impairment.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of the left shoulder, finding that the evidence did not support an extraschedular analysis due to lack of substantiation of employment impact.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD from January 12, 1998, due to the veteran's severe and chronic symptoms of PTSD that have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis or nexus to her period of active service for any claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted records did not show a relationship between his current PTSD diagnosis and his period of service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, squamous cell carcinoma of the left true vocal cord, and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records from Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center and other providers.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 30, 1997, for assignment of a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO increased the disability ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine disability from January 30, 1997, resulting in a combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the evidence does not support a link between in-service stressors and the diagnosed condition.