PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for an effective date prior to December 29, 1995, for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes. The denial of service connection was based on lack of credible evidence corroborating the claimed in-service stressors. For the pension claim, the Board found that the veteran did not meet the requirements due to his failure to file a timely claim within one year of becoming permanently disabled.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, depression, and PTSD due to his failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal is about increasing his disability rating for PTSD from 30 percent to a higher level. The RO must ensure all notification requirements and development actions are completed, including compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. A hearing before a member of the Board will be scheduled via video conference.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective April 12, 1993 and denied service connection for right knee disability. The veteran withdrew his appeal on the issue of right knee disability prior to the issuance of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including verification of stressors claimed by the appellant.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition and sleep disturbance, are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of an undiagnosed illness related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a neck injury. The RO must consider all relevant evidence and apply the most favorable rating criteria to determine if the veteran meets the requirements for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations. The issues of increased ratings for low back disability and PTSD are being readjudicated.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied. The evidence does not show the presence of such a condition attributable to his military service. For duodenal ulcer disease and low back disorder, no higher ratings are warranted as there is insufficient evidence of recurrent severe symptoms or continuous moderate manifestations.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently productive of severe social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not meeting the criteria for an increased rating higher than 30 percent prior to April 22, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The veteran's arthritis of the right shoulder is not service connected, but his current 40% evaluation for a gunshot wound to Muscle Groups II and IV remains unchanged. The 20% evaluation for pleural cavity injuries residuals is also maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, but denied service connection for malaria. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for amputation of the right little finger and for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder. The denial is based on a finding that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent since November 10, 2000. The Board finds that the effective date should be May 10, 1996.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 10, 1999, for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his employment during the relevant period did not meet the criteria for marginal employment.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from July 1, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits was granted and effective as of May 21, 1997.