PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the origin of her bilateral cataracts.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected major depression, finding that his symptoms did not warrant an increase beyond 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, hypertension, and chronic duodenal ulcer with diarrhea were denied. The Board found that the current disability levels did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's representative filed an informal reopened claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability on September 12, 1989. The RO awarded the veteran service connection for PTSD effective November 22, 1993. An effective date of September 12, 1989 is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 2, 1992 for a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms warrant this level of disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis and that the stressors claimed were not verified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service medical records and other procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, due to lack of verification of claimed stressors and failure to provide supporting evidence.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% for the period prior to May 11, 1998 and granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD must be denied as there is no confirmed in-service stressor, and thus the direct service connection theory cannot be met.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for the appellant's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The veteran's appeal is for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the stressor event related by the veteran.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his disability picture warrants this higher rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board finds that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred for PTSD was April 26, 1996. Therefore, the effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD is set to April 26, 2000.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of May 14, 1991 for a 70% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder is warranted. However, the claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 26, 1995 remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to work, and thus meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board is remanding the case to verify a claimed stressor and obtain treatment records, and then determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.