PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied by the RO.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability, finding that the veteran's PTSD alone does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which represents a higher evaluation than the initial 30 percent rating granted in December 1997.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's PTSD to her service and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability is also denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for PTSD under either the old or new criteria, and thus denied the veteran's claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is denied for an increased rating for left ankle injury and denial of earlier effective dates for PTSD benefits. The veteran was granted a higher PTSD disability rating, but the RO did not provide an SOC addressing the earlier effective date claim.

The Board has determined that the attorney fees stipulated in a February 1997 agreement are excessive and unreasonable, reducing them to zero.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to August 19, 1999 warranted a 30 percent rating. However, for the period since August 19, 1999, the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified stressor related to his Vietnam service and thus failing to meet the criteria for service connection.

The VA has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating, but the veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional records. The claims for increased ratings and unemployability will be reevaluated based on all available evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the claim for service connection for PTSD is not well-grounded and thus denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, chronic sinusitis with headaches, residuals of a cyst on the forehead, recurrent strain/sprain of L5, and residuals of a right ankle sprain. The remaining claims are pending as they have not yet been issued a Statement of the Case.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this claim. The case is remanded to verify specific stressors in service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms leave him unable to work and interact with others, approaching total impairment.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a dental disorder is denied as there is no evidence of in-service trauma.