PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for the veteran's PTSD with panic features, finding that he is demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment due to his service-connected mental disorder.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the current evaluation of 50% is maintained as it meets the criteria under the old rating schedule.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a higher rating from the previous 10 percent. The issue of an earlier effective date for service connection remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's PTSD, effective from July 1997.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder and PTSD, as well as his claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The RO previously denied these claims in March 1992 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's PTSD was incurred as a result of service, specifically witnessing attacks on his unit during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's cervical disc disease and PTSD were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was denied. The RO granted service connection in September 1996, but the veteran argued that a more appropriate effective date should have been June 5, 1991 or June 20, 1994.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective from September 30, 1991. The veteran's claim was reopened and new evidence established that he had PTSD related to his Vietnam service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder. The decision is final as it was previously denied in November 1990.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a seizure disorder with dizziness, loss of memory and slurred speech due to new evidence. However, there is no direct medical evidence linking this condition to military service. The claim for PTSD was not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, also diagnosed as dysthymic disorder is granted. The effective date remains July 17, 1995.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that a stressor, which might lead to PTSD, occurred during service. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his service records do not indicate he engaged in combat.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the veteran's symptoms are attributable to in-service stressors and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased rating for PTSD, compensable rating for residuals of fracture of left third metacarpal, service connection for arthritis of spine and joints due to exposure to Agent Orange, and service connection for hepatitis C. The claim for service connection for arthritis was not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and denied the waiver of overpayment in the amount of $86.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD causes moderate occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran is demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment due to his PTSD symptoms, and therefore grants a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD under the pre-November 7, 1996 criteria.