PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the verified in-service stressors are sufficient to produce symptomatology of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating since January 17, 1992. The RO denied service connection for a genitourinary disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to new and existing legal requirements, including the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The issues include service connection for hypertension, a pension rating, and reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board found no persuasive medical evidence of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected PTSD and shell fragment wounds to the chest and legs, finding that there was no evidence of disabling residuals.

The VA denied service connection for a left knee disorder and did not reopen the PTSD claim due to lack of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating as of the grant of service connection, based on symptoms including intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, and poor impulse control.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's participation in helping Vietnamese children during his military service is considered significant in supporting a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, should be remanded to allow for additional development of his claims.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to June 26, 1996 and found that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms. The appeal regarding the June 1968 denial was also denied as it pertained to service connection rather than the current evaluation issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 14, 1995 for a 100 percent evaluation for his post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and evaluated it as 50 percent disabling, effective from October 30, 1991. The veteran's claim is now remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions and to adjudicate his increased rating claims. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, arrange for appropriate examinations, and then consider the claims on their merits.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, severe depression, blackout spells, dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision. The right knee disability claim was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD as a result of service and denied his claim.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is as likely as not the result of his service-connected PTSD. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have not been met.