PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 2, 1992, for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The decision is based on the fact that the grant of service connection was assigned on July 2, 1992.

The veteran's PTSD disability does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 70 percent due to the presence of symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation, such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living; disorientation as to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. The veteran's overall disability picture does not meet these criteria.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD should be June 10, 1997.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic stress disorder, concluding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on current symptoms and records.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that there was no relationship between any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board found that the overpayment was not due to administrative error and was properly created. The veteran's fault outweighed VA's fault, and repayment of the debt would not cause undue financial hardship.

The Board has determined that the appellant's combat experiences are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD and have remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and insufficient medical evidence linking his current symptoms to any such verified events.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has reviewed the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The BVA found that there was no verified in-service stressor and that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. As such, the BVA denied the veteran's claim as it pertains to service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 14, 1994, for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The evidence does not show that the veteran's PTSD was totally disabling prior to this date.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not result in reductions in initiative, flexibility, efficiency and reliability levels sufficient to warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from August 17, 1983 to June 24, 1996. The earlier effective date claim was also denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. The new evidence submitted supports a link between these conditions and his military service.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation, resolving the veteran's appeal.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 25, 1999. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claim will now be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 25, 1999, were of a nature and severity that prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a permanent 100 percent rating for PTSD. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an organic low back disorder and granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD. The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral defective hearing was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and PTSD. The denial was based on insufficient evidence to verify stressor incidents, lack of medical evidence linking current conditions to service, and incomplete records.