PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board determined that the veteran's claimed stressors were not confirmed, and thus did not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of credible supporting evidence.

The veteran's spouse is entitled to an apportionment of the veteran's VA disability compensation benefits in the amount of $135 per month from July 1989 to April 1990, as she did not receive support from her husband during this period.

The Board found that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, and thus granted service connection but maintained the initial assigned rating of 30 percent.

The Board has granted a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, effective from December 1, 1996.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence confirming the claimed inservice stressors, and thus the diagnosis of PTSD could not be linked to service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well-grounded and denied it.

The veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disability and secondary service connection for pulmonary edema and coronary ischemia were denied. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability did not meet criteria warranting a higher than 50 percent rating, and there was no evidence to support secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination to assess his PTSD. The skin disability claim remains in its initial stage.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and he meets the criteria for service connection. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an inservice stressor.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation from February 24, 1992 to March 3, 1999. The claim for TDIU prior to March 3, 1999 is also granted.

The veteran is entitled to a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD due to his inability to maintain gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a more severe disability level.

The veteran's request for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 21, 1993.,PTSD prior to January 19, 1999 was rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 29, 1996 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for myofascial pain syndrome was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, while reported as diminished interest in activities and sleep impairment, did not warrant an evaluation higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since April 14, 1997. The VA determined that the veteran is unable to obtain or retain gainful employment due to his PTSD.