PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder was granted, with a rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant is demonstrably unable to retain employment due to his psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD. The criteria for a 100 percent rating are met under the old diagnostic code and therefore a 100 percent schedular rating is granted from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected anxiety disorder and for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a skin disability, both claimed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD or any other skin condition during his service or in the years following it.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal is based on the merits and not related to any specific exposure basis or presumption.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by sleep disturbance, survivor guilt, mood disturbance, and irritability. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it causes only mild impairment in work efficiency during periods of significant stress.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, skin cancer, and a skin rash. The decision found no diagnosed psychiatric or physical conditions during service, and there was insufficient evidence to link any current conditions to military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be so severe that it results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling effective from February 1996, but was previously rated at 30 percent prior to that date. The Board has determined the evidence does not support a higher rating for the period prior to February 1996.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Generalized Subcutaneous Lipomatosis, Chronic Bronchitis, COPD with a Predominant Asthmatic Component (secondary to herbicide exposure), and a Left Knee Disability secondary to a Service-Connected Low Back Disability. The veteran's service-connected scars, the residuals of excised lipomas, are rated as 10% disabling.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be severe enough to warrant a higher rating, and the RO has granted an increased rating of 70 percent.

The Board granted DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder was continuously rated as totally disabling for a period of at least five years prior to his death.

The Board denied increased ratings for the appellant's left eye disability, PTSD, right ear scar, and right nasolabial fold scar. The current rating of 40 percent for the left eye disability is maintained.

The VA has increased the veteran's PTSD rating to 70 percent, but it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant a total disability evaluation.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD from November 17, 1993, finding that the veteran's inability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the veteran experienced combat during his service in Vietnam, which supports a finding of service connection for PTSD. For tinnitus, the Board concluded that it is likely related to acoustic trauma sustained during an RPG attack while serving in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings on post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right hip with sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.