PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right shoulder injury and PTSD, as well as the restoration of a higher PTSD evaluation. The reduction from 70% to 50% was found not proper.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was not well grounded due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and determined that the veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressful experiences. The effective date of this decision is not specified, as it pertains to a grant of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for mycosis fungoides effective from December 21, 1993. The claims for headaches, degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and polysensory neuropathy were not well-grounded.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date prior to January 1, 1994, for the assignment of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left knee disability, shell fragment wound scars of the upper back with degenerative changes, and low back disability. The veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated at 50%, 10%, 20%, and 20% respectively.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, residuals of a left shoulder injury and PTSD.

The Board granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective January 12, 1995 and service connection for post-vagotomy and pyloroplasty syndrome with H. pylori infection effective January 12, 1995.

The veteran's PTSD was evaluated at 30 percent effective January 7, 1998. Prior to this date, the evaluation remained at 10 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by chronic depression and anxiety, irritability, and outbursts of anger. He has been married to his wife for many years and has family support; however, he has no friends. His only outside contacts appear to be in his weekly WWII group therapy sessions. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 50 percent disability evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100% evaluation, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, effective April 25, 1994.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective August 1, 1985. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD with psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction, effective February 27, 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for reopening a previously denied hearing loss claim was also denied. The rating for otitis externa remains unchanged.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD, anxiety, depression, and dysthymia are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence submitted since the August 1993 rating decision supports a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim is well-grounded and the veteran currently has this disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic fatigue, joint pain in shoulders, hips, and elbows, headaches, back disability, and right knee disability are well-grounded. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the periods in question.