PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board found that there was no verified stressor and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD because there was no medical evidence linking current symptoms to an in-service stressor or event.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective October 10, 1997. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The issues of evaluating post-traumatic stress disorder and determining service connection for memory loss are pending.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD effective to May 11, 2000. The RO also increased the disability rating for PTSD from 30 percent to 50 percent effective May 11, 1995.

The Board found that the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not well grounded due to insufficient evidence linking hypertension, a nonservice-connected condition, to PTSD, a service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 1995, reflecting severe social and industrial impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, which is more than the current 30 percent rating. The decision also addresses his TDIU issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder and entitlement to a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The RO was directed to obtain additional medical records, clarify the veteran's current address, reschedule him for a VA PTSD examination if he provided good cause for his failure to report, and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD prior to June 5, 1995. The RO must now assign a new effective date for the grant of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD claim is well-grounded and service connection for PTSD is granted. The right knee chondromalacia patella is rated as noncompensably disabling, while the left knee condition also meets this standard.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and conflicting medical diagnoses.

The veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD, but the case has been remanded due to additional evidence submitted after the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have proceeded to a decision on their merits. Service connection is granted for arthritis of the hands, but denied for disorders of the ankles, legs, and knees, avitaminosis, gastrointestinal disorder (including a stomach condition), irritable bladder, and PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was initially granted and rated at 30 percent from December 22, 1997.

The VA has awarded a 30 percent rating for the appellant's PTSD, which is currently at its maximum schedular level. The evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher rating, as there is no improvement in his condition and the current 30 percent rating adequately compensates for his disability.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective January 9, 1998.,Chondromalacia of the knees was denied as not warranting a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and mild memory loss. The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is warranted for the veteran's PTSD.