PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no competent diagnosis of PTSD and that his account of Vietnam service/stressors was inherently incredible.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for beriberi heart disease and PTB, as well as his request for an increased evaluation for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD claim is not well grounded due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors. The hernia, hypertension, groin-rash, rash, hacking cough, and irritation of gums with loss of teeth claims are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection based on secondary exposure to Agent Orange or other established theories.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that his claim was not well-grounded due to a lack of medical evidence linking current PTSD symptoms to an inservice stressor.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and asthma, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted the application to reopen claims for service connection for recurrent leg and arm pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding new and material evidence. The appellant's symptoms are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records from 1993 to the present and an updated VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his various disabilities, finding that he is not in need of such assistance.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available for this condition under VA guidelines. The disability has been found to meet criteria for a 30 percent evaluation based on symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, depressed mood, and mild memory impairment.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from August 27, 1993. The rating is based on the overall psychiatric disability impairment manifested by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and other symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, which is manifested by chronic depression and anxiety, irritability, and impaired impulse control with outbursts of anger, warrants a 70 percent disability rating.

The veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 10 percent prior to April 1998, and increased to 30 percent from June 1993 through April 1998. The current rating of 50 percent for PTSD is effective since April 23, 1998.,The veteran's PTSD symptoms have significantly worsened since the last evaluation in April 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not well grounded due to a lack of medical evidence linking current symptoms to an inservice stressor or any diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection was successful, and he is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is warranted for the period from January 8, 1982 to July 11, 1991.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is so severe that it renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well grounded due to a clear diagnosis of PTSD, evidence of stressors consistent with his combat service, and a nexus between his combat service and his diagnosed PTSD. The veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to extreme trauma during his active duty.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from his doctors and Social Security Administration records.