PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of PTSD should be March 25, 1991, based on medical evidence showing symptoms possibly indicative of PTSD. The veteran's claim was received in March 1991, and he had been seen with such symptoms as early as June 1989.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of service dates and records related to head trauma. The veteran's PTSD is being evaluated again, and a determination will be made regarding any other psychiatric disabilities potentially related to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as PTSD. The evidence shows that his current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure during World War II.

The veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service, and his claim for post-traumatic stress disorder is granted. The VA will attempt to obtain records of the veteran's service in Vietnam.

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal, and as a result, the case has been dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 15, 1994 for the veteran's PTSD disability rating to 100 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, and the RO has granted increased ratings for his service-connected shoulder wounds. The veteran also meets criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the claim was not legally eligible due to the finality of previous decisions.

The Board found that there was no evidence of the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and thus denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence of more than moderate disability. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's chronic brain syndrome associated with brain trauma and PTSD, as well as his panhypopituitarism. The ratings were based on the current service-connected conditions without finding any new evidence or changes in exposure basis.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his severe symptoms and impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors and service connection for PTSD. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered after further development.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in November 1994 due to lack of a service stressor. The RO later granted service connection for PTSD effective from May 30, 1996 based on the veteran's receipt of the Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia. The Board determined there was CUE in the November 1994 decision and granted an earlier effective date of June 30, 1994.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to not warrant an increased rating for the period prior to September 1, 1999. For the period on and subsequent to September 1, 1999, a higher rating of 50 percent is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, difficulty sleeping, depression, and irritability, are currently manifested by mild symptoms. The Board found these symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right wrist disability claimed to be due to or aggravated by medical treatment provided by the VA is not well-grounded, and denied the claim. The increased rating claim for post-traumatic stress disorder was also considered but no decision was made as it required additional development.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression have rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100% disability rating.