PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective June 25, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there was no competent medical evidence showing that she has PTSD and no verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues regarding service connection for PTSD, as well as evaluations for tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids. The veteran's claim is not about exposure to specific environmental factors.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claim as he is no longer alive.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that no earlier claim was submitted and that the December 1991 intake form did not constitute a valid informal claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability due to tobacco use in service or nicotine dependence, and PTSD. The denial was based on lack of legal merit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is related to established noncombat stressors in service and grants the claim.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran does not have a permanent housebound status or the required anatomical loss or use of limbs, thus denying his claims for special monthly compensation on account of a need for regular aid and attendance or specially adapted housing.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective August 18, 2000, based on the severity of social and industrial impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms were characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The veteran's only service-connected disability is PTSD, rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported stressors during service are credible and have led to his current PTSD. The VA examiner found that these stressors are etiologically related to the veteran's PTSD.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain missing records and provide a supplemental opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding the severity of the veteran's PTSD. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, chest and liver gunshot wounds. The veteran's PTSD was found to have mild to moderate impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and did not address his claims to reopen previously denied bilateral foot condition and right ankle disorder claims due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent level, and the Board has determined that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in September 1997. The case will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD and denied his entitlement to service connection for right hip and foot disabilities. The initial 50 percent evaluation assigned for PTSD prior to January 8, 1998, was maintained.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is about the current rating assigned for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent medical records and an opportunity for another VA examination.