PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 7, 1996. The evaluation is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and industrial functioning.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder warrant a 70 percent disability rating, effective as of November 7, 1996. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of PTSD. The veteran's claim is well-grounded, but the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal as he did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement to the December 8, 1994 rating decision denying an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran's other disabilities do not render him unemployable and thus he is denied a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a head injury, including dysthymia and PTSD, have been rated at 50 percent since February 1996. The disability is productive of moderately disabling depression with symptoms such as impaired concentration, short-term memory, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation from November 15, 1995 to May 6, 1996 and a 100% evaluation from May 7, 1996 to May 9, 2000. Attorney fees are eligible based on the past-due benefits resulting from this decision.

The Board found that the veteran did not serve in Vietnam and had no combat experience. The evidence of record does not establish inservice stressors sufficient to support a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from military service, nor is there any evidence supporting a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from April 26, 1989 to March 22, 1996. The VA found that his employment was not substantially impaired due to his PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU, as well as his request to reopen a claim for service connection for a skin disorder. The denial of these claims is final.

The veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, with symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts about Korea experiences, nervousness, depression, insomnia, and avoidance of war movies. The evaluation reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism is not well-grounded due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity beyond natural progression during active military service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric disorders to his active service, including PTSD. The claim is therefore denied.

The veteran's PTSD has rendered him virtually isolated in his community and demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment from the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and dysthymia warrant a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting severe impairment in his ability to establish effective relationships with people.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD because his reported stressors were not verified and there was no diagnosis of PTSD. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating, effective April 9, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date of July 21, 1993 is also granted.

The veteran's PTSD has been shown to result in total social and industrial impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 100 percent evaluation effective August 5, 1991.