PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The RO denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder in April 1996 and subsequent decisions. The Board also denied this claim in March 1999, which was then appealed to the Court.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the veteran's exposure to enemy mortar and rocket fire during his time in Vietnam qualifies as a recognized inservice stressor.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial. However, it was determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms are primarily associated with his dementia rather than his service-connected PTSD and GAD, leading to a denial of an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart murmur, PTSD, and dysthymic disorder with panic attacks and a personality disorder (claimed as psychotic episodes). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart murmur. For PTSD and dysthymic disorder, the Board noted that there was no confirmed in-service stressor and that the veteran did not engage in combat with an enemy, making it difficult to establish service connection based on combat exposure.

The Board has granted increased ratings for PTSD, Right Hip Arthritis, and Right Knee Scar under the current rating criteria. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, his Right Hip Arthritis at 10 percent, and his Right Knee Scar at a compensable level.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from August 25, 1999. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent. The total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due solely as the result of service-connected disabilities was also granted. However, the effective date prior to March 3, 1997 for a 30 percent disability evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder could not be established.

The veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were best approximated by the 30 percent rating. Service connection for low back disability and skin disability is also denied due to lack of sufficient medical evidence.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of some occupational and social impairment, but not more than the current 50 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not grant increased ratings for the right knee disabilities. The veteran's claims were based on reopened evidence, but the appeals were ultimately denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, warranting a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting severe impairment in his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed inservice stressor actually occurred, despite diagnoses of PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying a stressor related to the veteran's first night in Korea and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it only causes mild impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the proper effective date is November 30, 1994.