PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims and found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen several service connection claims. The original denial of these claims remains final.

The Board has determined that an effective date of October 8, 1996 is warranted for the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type, with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 9, 1994, for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected PTSD, which is more than the current 30 percent rating. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the 70 percent rating for PTSD, a total rating based on individual unemployability, and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S. Code Chapter 35 all effective December 6, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's current findings on VA audiological evaluation do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from December 1998. The veteran's symptoms include chronic sleep impairment, anxiety, depression, and suspiciousness, causing mild to moderate social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a possible increase in the rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic heart disease and a rating increase for post-traumatic stress disorder. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the condition was manifested by not more than a considerable social and industrial impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there are verified stressors that could support a diagnosis of PTSD and whether the veteran's current symptoms are related to any such verified stressor(s).

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the service-connected PTSD, effective May 24, 2001. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 100 percent disabling.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The veteran's shell fragment wound, left thigh with retained foreign bodies, is currently rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's children and the appellant are currently receiving payments under various government poverty assistance programs. The veteran has not been reasonably discharging his responsibility for the payment of the children's needs, despite having access to other resources that would lessen the impact of an apportionment. As a result, the appeal is granted with an appropriate level of apportionment determined by the RO.

The veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for nicotine dependence is denied. The RO will conduct further development and readjudicate the issues, including considering Fenderson v. West (1999) with respect to the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the only verified stressors are two mortar attacks in February 1968. The veteran should be examined to determine if he has PTSD related to these attacks.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied, but he was granted individual unemployability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.