PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The VA has granted an initial disability evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, effective October 1996.

The veteran's organic brain syndrome with conversion symptoms is rated at 70 percent, and the other issues are resolved in his favor.

The VA Regional Office denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for PTSD was plausible and well-grounded, but denied service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and application of new regulations, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's claimed service connection for PTSD was not granted due to a lack of verified stressors and evidence supporting his claims.

The Board has granted an increased rating for PTSD to 70 percent and has also granted an earlier effective date of November 10, 1994 for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's depression and dysthymia are found to have originated during his period of active service, while the PTSD is considered a direct result of service. The claim for increased rating for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found that the appellant does not have PTSD and his current lung, heart, and nicotine dependence conditions are not service-connected. The claims were denied as not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hemorrhoids, but granted his claim for a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss with an effective date of July 18, 1997 for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is not well-grounded due to lack of a verified in-service stressor and insufficient medical nexus evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and remanded to allow further development of the facts pertinent to his claim.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound of the right knee, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under either the old or new criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and an effective date earlier than June 1, 1994, for an award of a total rating based on unemployability.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The decision is denied.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 1, 1997 for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The evidence does not show that the veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD prior to September 1, 1997.

The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing. The RO should schedule the veteran for a personal hearing and give him the option of presenting testimony at a videoconference or in person.