PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher disability rating than 30 percent since March 4, 1994.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, reflecting total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on verified in-service stressful experiences, but the VA psychiatrist found that these experiences are not sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD effective April 15, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no evidence showing a relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent evaluation, effective from the date of his claim, due to severe social and industrial inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation prior to May 15, 1995. The other claims for service connection were not granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The claim is well grounded, as there is a reasonable suggestion by competent authority that the veteran has PTSD related to his military service.

The case is being remanded due to the veteran's request for copies of his complete claims folder and vocational rehabilitation file, as well as scheduling a video-conference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and denied his claim of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia with PTSD was denied by the RO in July 1998. The VA examiner diagnosed chronic, moderate PTSD and assigned a GAF score of 50.

The Board has granted service connection and compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) effective from December 18, 1992. The issue of a skin rash due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded as the veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The appellant's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD and individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the February 1992 rating decision denying service connection due to lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD is not subject to revision on the same factual basis except by duly constituted appellate authorities or except for new and material evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by severe symptoms that have resulted in total occupational impairment, preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no competent evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is not well grounded. The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis as secondary to the veteran's PTSD, and has also granted a 10 percent rating for his PTSD. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of impairment reported as depression, sleep disturbances, recurrent nightmares, exaggerated startle response, some panic and suicidal thoughts, considerable and mostly inappropriately visceral anger, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, disturbance of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing work and social relationships, some memory problems, and Global Assessment of Functioning score of 50-60. The criteria for an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD have been met.

The veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease secondary to his PTSD is granted. However, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA care is denied.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and PTSD.