PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran is eligible for fee-basis outpatient medical care for his service-connected PTSD, and the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque was found to be geographically inaccessible. The case has been remanded for further development regarding authorization of fee-basis care.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent disabling, meeting the schedular criteria. The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation of PTSD from 30% to 50% was granted, effective September 1991. The attorney is eligible and entitled to payment of 20 percent of the past-due benefits awarded based on this increase in rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 require additional development due to incomplete evidence.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. If so, the issue will be decided on its merits.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to determine if the veteran would have been entitled to a 100% disability rating for PTSD prior to his death, which could potentially allow the appellant to receive DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a three-wheel scooter as it is not considered necessary part of his outpatient care or treatment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the veteran's claim of PTSD to be reopened.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from July 19, 1995 to September 16, 1996.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms, including suicidal ideation and anger/hostility, have resulted in a total occupational and social impairment since June 12, 1993. The VA has granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD from that date to January 15, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active military service.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in severe social and industrial impairment from November 21, 1990 to August 7, 1993. From August 8, 1993 to the present, the veteran is unable to obtain or retain employment due to his PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed stressors, witnessing a fellow servicemember get shot during basic training and watching another being electrocuted while repairing power lines, were not credible due to lack of independent corroboration. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a temporary total disability rating due to hospitalization from November 5, 2000 to December 14, 2000. The other issues were not addressed as they were withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is also considered well-grounded as there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors resulting in current diagnoses of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.

The RO has denied a compensable rating for the postoperative sebaceous cyst of the right eye and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim for PTSD is pending further development.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 100 percent disabling due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depression, as well as his claim for Generalized Joint Pain due to an undiagnosed illness during service in SWATO, is well grounded. The evidence supports a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, citing reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, some impairment in memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.