PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current PTSD diagnosis to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability to include PTSD and also denied his request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of improved pension benefits in the amount of $1,458 due to fault on his part.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The evidence supports these claims as they are considered direct service connections based on in-service exposure and current symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chloracne as secondary to Agent Orange exposure and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the veteran's current skin diseases and his service, nor was there sufficient medical evidence linking his PTSD symptoms to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations, higher initial evaluations, and a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The partial loss of the skull was evaluated as 50 percent disabling since separation from active service, while the amputation of the right ring finger at the proximal interphalangeal joint remained at 10 percent. Chronic sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss were each rated at 10 percent. PTSD warranted a 30 percent evaluation. The veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was not established.

The veteran's PTSD was incurred as a result of service and the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is well grounded and grants the claim.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no verified stressor and no diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor.

The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows that he experienced combat-related stressors during his service in Korea, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or adaptive equipment due to lack of evidence showing 'loss of use' of an extremity or presence of ankylosis in either hip or knee joints resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of claim. The RO denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of shell fragment wound on the left zygomatic area.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference Travel Board hearing. The appeal is not yet decided on the merits of the service connection claim.

The veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction during a VA hospitalization, but the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The veteran had been in receipt of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The Board denied the reopening of both claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and now most nearly approximate the criteria for a 30 percent disability evaluation. The decision grants an increased rating to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure during active service. The claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to PTSD and a right shoulder wound, as well as pension purposes. The veteran's incarceration at a correctional facility made it difficult for VA to conduct necessary examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis. The decision found that there was no combat service, insufficient evidence of verified stressors, and a current diagnosis of PTSD did not meet diagnostic criteria.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for a psychiatric disorder, but ultimately denied service connection due to lack of medical evidence supporting PTSD.