PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased ratings, a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence, and a TDIU were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted a 30% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, PTSD with considerable impairment in social and industrial functioning, and residuals of a nasal fracture. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied as the criteria are not met, and his claim for a compensable disability rating for the nasal fracture remains at 50 percent.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 24, 1985 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50% evaluation from that date.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for PTSD, and reopening of a claim for skin disease of the feet were denied. The RO assigned a 20% disability rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss as of June 10, 1999.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that additional development is necessary to address the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The RO must adjudicate whether the veteran's August 1984 service connection claim for nerves remains pending and what effect this would have on his PTSD claim, as well as consider whether there was a clear and unmistakable error in a February 1949 rating decision denying service connection for anxiety state.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, monomelic amyotrophy of the left hand and arm (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure), and hearing loss. The veteran's claims were not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified and did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD. The preponderance of evidence established that any current psychiatric disorder is not related to service.

The veteran's PTSD, combined with a work-related back injury and civilian experiences, has resulted in occupational and social impairment. The VA Board found that the rating of 30 percent for PTSD is appropriate given the veteran's symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux secondary to PTSD and also denied the request for an effective date earlier than September 25, 2000 for a 100% evaluation for PTSD.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service. The examiner concluded that both diagnoses were not related to military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as it was not factually ascertainable within the year prior to September 4, 1997 that he was entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The appeal for a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities has been deferred pending completion of the development requested in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for PTSD, headaches (claimed as residuals of head trauma), and lower back disability. The RO's decisions remain final.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of total occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral conjunctivitis was remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is related to his military service, specifically his time in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and grants the veteran's claim.