PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his verified stressors are linked to his diagnosed PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD and orthopedic conditions. The effective date is not specified as it was a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 1998 VA examination and conflicting information in the medical records regarding the extent of his psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The total disability rating claim was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be disabling and prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the May 1998 rating decision. The VA examiner determined that his current GAF score is 45, indicating severe impairment due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported in-service kidnapping and assault are credible, and thus finds a stressor related to PTSD. The veteran is granted service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, leading to a 30 percent evaluation from June 20, 1995 to May 25, 1998 and a 50 percent evaluation on and after May 26, 1998.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective July 16, 1996. The increased rating for her cerebral concussion with headaches remains pending.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of some occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent prior to November 30, 1999 and 70 percent from that date. The current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted based on the evidence currently available, as there are procedural defects and insufficient information regarding specific combat incidents claimed by the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a personal assault during service and PTSD diagnosis. The veteran is required to provide detailed information about her assault, identify any alternative sources of support, and undergo a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board granted the appellant's claim for an effective date of August 10, 1994, for a 30% disability evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression was granted and rated at 30 percent effective September 25, 1998.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, based on direct evidence of a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. However, due to the presence of PTSD, the issue of service connection is considered in conjunction with this appeal. Further development is needed to verify the veteran's reported in-service burn injury and assess its relationship to his current psychiatric disability.

The veteran's death was not considered service-connected, as his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating for 10 or more years prior to his death.