PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board found that the appellant's claimed in-service stressors were not corroborated by service records or other credible evidence, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence, COPD secondary to nicotine dependence, and COPD due to inservice tobacco use. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there were no credible supporting evidence of inservice stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as there was no new and material evidence presented.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, muscle neuralgia, and jungle rot of the feet are granted due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The veteran has a diagnosed PTSD related to his military service. Peripheral neuropathy, muscle neuralgia, and jungle rot of the feet are presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding that the claim was not well grounded and no new evidence had been presented to reopen the case. The RO assigned a 100% rating with an effective date of September 30, 1996 based on VA outpatient records noting symptoms of PTSD in 1996.

The veteran's PTSD with depression was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 70 percent. The rating of 70 percent has been maintained since April 10, 1992.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support such a rating from July 12, 1993 to November 7, 1996. The criteria used at that time were deemed insufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all doubts resolved in his favor.

The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his non-service-connected psychiatric conditions (bipolar disorder - depressive disorder and PTSD) warrant a combined 50 percent evaluation. The veteran is therefore not entitled to an increased evaluation for his duodenal ulcer or a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is well grounded and related to his service in Vietnam. As he engaged in combat, his claim for service connection was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the old or new criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's alcoholism, which was related to his service-connected PTSD, substantially contributed to his death. The appeal is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening the claim. However, there is no credible supporting evidence linking any claimed in-service stressors to the development of PTSD.

The veteran's request for a hearing before the Board was not accommodated, and his appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling such a hearing.

The Board granted a schedular 50 percent evaluation for undifferentiated type schizophrenia with PTSD, effective from February 2, 1992 to March 14, 1995.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms including difficulty sleeping, depression, anxiety attacks, violent behavior, nightmares of Vietnam experiences, and problems with memory. These symptoms result in total social and occupational impairment, rendering the veteran unable to obtain or retain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is well grounded. The claims of service connection for arthritis of the shoulders and back, including due to herbicide exposure, are denied as not well grounded.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and a compensable evaluation for hearing loss. The claim for hearing loss was withdrawn, but the issue of PTSD remains under review by the Board.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, gunshot wound to muscle group XIX, removal of the left kidney, lumbosacral strain with arthritis and sacroilitis, status post gastric resection, small bowel resection and previous colostomy with dumping syndrome, and a muscle bulge associated with ventral and incisional hernia, preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment. As such, the veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.