PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's PTSD and tension headaches are rated at the highest possible level of disability (100%), which is considered a total disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral foot rash, asbestosis, hepatitis, prostatitis, jungle rot/groin rash, and colon polyps. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for increased rating of low back strain is denied, and his claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not well-grounded due to lack of corroborated stressors. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5292.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and assigned a 30 percent evaluation. The effective date of the grant is November 17, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues intertwined with service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and hand. The veteran's PTSD and right wrist disability evaluations are also under review.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 15, 1993 for the veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for PTSD.

The veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to September 1, 1993; and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD on and after September 1, 1993 are each well grounded because they are plausible and capable of substantiation. The veteran's service-connected PTSD was manifested by moderate subjective stress, an angry affect, a restricted but appropriate mood, and no more than moderate difficulty in social, occupational or school functioning prior to September 1, 1993; and effective on and after September 1, 1993, the veteran's service-connected PTSD was manifested by subjective complaints of PTSD symptomatology, minimal findings on mental status examinations, and Global Assessment of Functioning estimates ranging from mild to no more than moderate. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is not warranted prior to September 1, 1993; and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is not warranted on and after September 1, 1993.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if PTSD is a valid diagnosis and whether service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 14, 1994 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD due to lack of evidence showing unemployability prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors and thus failing to establish a nexus between his current PTSD diagnosis and any in-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of whether the veteran's son was permanently incapable of self-support prior to October [redacted], 1979, is also pending.

The veteran's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied as there was no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities resulting from the surgeries and catheterizations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to submission of new and material evidence. The claims for other conditions remain not well grounded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to military service or any incident of active duty, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal is based on a direct service connection, without any presumption or new evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evidence.