PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The VA has confirmed and continued a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, which is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased evaluations for PTSD and left inguinal hernia, indicating satisfaction with the decision.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the arthritis claim being denied. The veteran received a 30% rating for PTSD, which was previously rated at 10%. Residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left thigh and foot resulted in 30% and 20% ratings respectively.

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

The veteran's PTSD, characterized by a depressed mood, constricted affect, suicidal thoughts, and irritability, causes difficulty adapting to stress and maintaining relationships. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, but the veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for peripheral neuropathy and growths on his neck and head (likely dermatomycosis), and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of well-grounded claims for these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms including nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and suicidal ideation, resulting in total social and industrial impairment. The Board has determined that a 100 percent rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision is final.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to link his current psychiatric symptoms to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease (chest pain), bilateral knee arthritis, dizziness, and bilateral varicose veins. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and a chronic, acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's claims were not well-grounded as there was no competent medical evidence of these conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as it causes considerable social and industrial impairment but not severe impairment.

The veteran's cardiovascular disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and found it well-grounded. The VA is required to assist in obtaining the veteran's VA medical records from Butler, Pennsylvania VAMC to determine if his medications contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no well-grounded claim. The appellant argued that her evidence showed a direct causal connection between the veteran's PTSD and his fatal illness(es).

The veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, arguing that his conditions were present since discharge in 1945. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error but granted the requested effective dates.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is July 30, 1991, based on receipt of new and material evidence submitted by the veteran in December 27, 1993.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and duodenal ulcer disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.