PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and granted. The veteran also had his rating for vitiligo increased to 30 percent.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is well grounded, and the Board finds that he has a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder related to his combat experience and inservice stressors. The veteran's claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of proper application of DSM-IV criteria in determining whether any in-service stressors caused or contributed to the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to August 22, 1997. The Board found that the evidence demonstrated a demonstrable inability to obtain and retain employment due to PTSD since June 4, 1993, warranting a 100 percent rating effective from that date.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective June 29, 1996. The case is now focused on the schedular ratings for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection of PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well-grounded and remanded to allow for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his chronic sinusitis remains at a 10 percent rating. The VA has granted increased evaluations for both conditions.

The Board has granted an increased rating for PTSD and has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities, finding new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and granted this benefit.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and finds it well grounded. However, further development is needed to determine if he engaged in combat with enemy forces during his Vietnam service.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, residuals of stab wounds to the abdomen, residuals of a stab wound to the right side of the face, and residuals of a stab wound of the neck and thyroid area. The veteran's service-connected disabilities were evaluated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent evaluation, effective from the date of his claim. The veteran is also entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for cirrhosis of the liver as a result of VA treatment.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's PTSD rating from 100 percent to 50 percent was not proper, and restored the original 100 percent evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent disability rating, effective from December 1996. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by severe, periodic acute exacerbations with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and depression resulting in unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to its current level of impairment.