PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an organic brain disorder and granted service connection for this condition, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and mood disorder secondary to the organic brain disorder. The evidence shows that these conditions had their onset in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 70 percent, as it results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a verified in-service stressor and the absence of medical evidence linking current symptoms to service. The veteran's dysthymic disorder with major depressive episodes was not found to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA PTSD examination.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 26, 1995. From February 1, 1996, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is attributable to service and warrants service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatophytosis of the feet and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder with panic disorder and agoraphobia, and dermatophytosis of the hands. The case is remanded to obtain a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, were aggravated by his active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding his disability benefits claim. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining this information.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well grounded. The claim of entitlement to compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for loss of vision in the left eye was granted.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a formal claim for service connection prior to April 22, 1993. The effective date of the award of PTSD was assigned as April 22, 1993.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, arthritis of both hands, arthritis of the left knee, epididymitis, and sinusitis as they are not well grounded.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from June 25, 1992. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to insufficient evidence of an inservice stressor leading to PTSD, and because his combined disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, which was previously granted on September 16, 1992. The RO denied this claim in October 1997.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on the merits of the case and does not involve any presumption, secondary condition, or reopening due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is well grounded and has been reopened. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a lip laceration, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral ankle disability. The veteran's in-service stressors are recognized as credible.