PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the diagnosis being presumed based on his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of June 26, 1995 is granted for the grant of service connection for residual scars on the chest. The appeal regarding post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea pedis, and painful sternal wire syndrome secondary to mediastinotomy has been denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that it is well grounded. The claim of service connection for parotid tumor and subcutaneous nodules below the ear lobes, secondary to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, remains not well grounded as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or to herbicide exposure. The claims seeking compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis externa, and tinea pedis are addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for aortic valve replacement with mitral valve systolic murmur and PTSD, but denied reopening of his claim for sacroiliac sprain. The rating for laceration wound of the right hand is increased to 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression, as well as drug addiction, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and verify alleged stressors supporting PTSD.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection, but found insufficient evidence to establish PTSD. The veteran's anxiety symptoms are attributed to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The case is now pending on its merits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection claim for post-traumatic stress disorder is granted based on direct evidence of a current diagnosis and a link to in-service stressors.

The veteran's PTSD claim was denied, but he was granted service connection for his herniated nucleus pulposus of L5-S1 with failed back surgery as secondary to his service-connected compression fracture. His temporary total convalescence evaluation and increased rating claims were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, inclusive of PTSD, and for a low back disorder. The remaining claims requesting higher ratings for tension headaches and residuals of the fracture of the 5th metacarpal of his right hand were remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD with headaches, as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The VA has determined that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The appellant's claim is not ready for appellate review due to the lack of a hearing before the Board. The case is being remanded for scheduling such a hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of injuries to his right little and ring fingers, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for a noncompensable rating for residuals of laceration to the right little finger was granted with an effective date of August 29, 1974.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and increased evaluations for PTSD and hypertension. The decision found no evidence linking the current disabilities to service, and did not find any new or material evidence to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss secondary to quinine treatment for malaria and for an increased rating for PTSD. The decision stated that there was no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between the use of quinine and hearing loss, and the current disability evaluation for PTSD is 30 percent.

The veteran's July 1995 statement constitutes a timely filed Notice of Disagreement with the RO's July 1995 rating decision, which granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation. The case is now remanded to consider whether an increased rating should be granted prior to May 27, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder. The evaluations for otitis media and bilateral hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of worsening since service connection was granted.