PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed stressor did not occur during combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of the alleged incident. As a result, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence of current disabilities. For PTSD, the evaluation from September 3, 1993, is denied due to lack of industrial impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and is well-grounded. His lung disease secondary to Agent Orange exposure is also well-grounded, and he is granted a rating of 10% for his left ring finger injury.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by mild symptoms and does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation. The claims of service connection for hypertension and dental disorder as secondary to PTSD were also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically his combat experience in Vietnam, and has granted entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective October 5th, 1998. The evidence does not support an increased rating beyond this level.

The veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for substance abuse is not well-grounded.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability attributable to PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors. The medical evidence does not establish a diagnosis of PTSD resulting from military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The claim will be readjudicated under both the old and new criteria for rating hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, and thus denied them. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service. The claim for a skin disorder was also denied as there is no new and material evidence submitted since the 1949 decision.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied, and his eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his right shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal is denied.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since February 1996 due to his inability to obtain or retain employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased rating for PTSD, total disability based on individual unemployability, service connection for kidney condition, and service connection for liver condition are pending.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's application for a total rating based on individual unemployability was granted with an effective date of March 24, 1995. The veteran had been unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since at least March 24, 1995.

The Board denied service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder, finding that the claims were not well-grounded due to lack of credible supporting evidence.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no evidence corroborating his claimed PTSD symptoms. The claim was denied as service connection for PTSD could not be established.