PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The VA Regional Office (RO) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The RO reopened the claim but ultimately denied it based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, gunshot wound residuals, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The VA determined that the PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation, the gunshot wound residuals met criteria for a 20% evaluation, there was no compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus warranted only a 10% evaluation.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability evaluation for PTSD, effective March 17, 2000. The veteran's service-connected PTSD results in considerable social and industrial impairment.

The Board found that the appellant is not a 'veteran' and therefore does not meet the eligibility criteria for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors and thus denying the claim.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a foot fungus claimed as jungle root. The claim for a back disorder is also denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU benefits.

The veteran's appeal is denied as he was not eligible to receive outpatient treatment by a non-VA health care provider at VA expense subsequent to September 15, 1998.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of PTSD, which was previously denied in March 1989. The VA medical records and a report from two VA staff psychiatrists indicate that a diagnosis of PTSD is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral pes planus and PTSD were denied. Service connection for cold injury residuals was not addressed as it is discussed in the remand portion. The claim to reopen service connection for left ankle, right knee injuries, hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted due to new evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for further examination of the veteran's PTSD.

The Board has determined that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in PTSD had occurred, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances including work or a worklike setting, was on May 1, 1998. The effective dates for the increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU are set back to this date.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred. The RO was directed to attempt verification of the veteran's claimed stressors with the U.S. Armed Service Center for Research of Unit Records and obtain a unit history for his relevant time periods.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and is now considering whether new evidence supports a finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms including nightmares, frequent flashbacks, anxiety, depression, irritability, outbursts of anger and violence, suicidal ideations, social isolation, and inability to maintain social relationships with people. It results in total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD has primarily resulted in sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, irritability, anxiety, depression, emotional numbing and constricted affect. The Board finds that with resolution of all reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor, an initial evaluation of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating for headaches.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available schedular evaluation of 100 percent, effective June 1992.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and clarifying the severity of his PTSD.