PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is well-grounded and the veteran's allegations of stressors are accepted as true. The RO will attempt to verify the stressors and provide the veteran with an opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a result of stressful experiences during military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the disability does not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is not related to active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% effective February 1991, and a 100% rating was granted on June 16, 2000, effective from the date of claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there was no current disability linked to his military service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, sinusitis/rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and a skin disorder (claimed as tinea cruris and tinea pedis) are granted. The claim for left knee disorder is not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 14, 1994, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and chronic low back strain. The veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at April 18, 1996. The case was remanded due to incomplete records and further review is required.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD with dysthymic disorder and history of major depression.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment compatible with his training and experience.

The VA denied a request for an increased disability rating for PTSD, maintaining the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with chondromalacia was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent evaluation. The special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence for PTSD, and denied his claims for respiratory, skin, cardiovascular, arthritis, and neurological disabilities secondary to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a neck disorder is well-grounded and has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD, effective from April 29, 1996.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred during active military service. Service connection is granted for impotency as secondary to hypertension, a back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea.

The Board found that the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, nicotine dependence, ASHD and COPD secondary to nicotine dependence are well grounded. The appeals were granted as the evidence supported a link between in-service tobacco use and current conditions.