PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected PTSD results in severe, but not total social and occupational impairment. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his claim for an increased rating has been denied. The RO also denied reopening the skin disorder claim secondary to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to military service. The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his allegations of exposure to mustard gas and Agent Orange during service are unsupported.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 4, 1995, for service connection of PTSD. The earliest competent evidence showing PTSD was in October 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, finding that she did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service and her anxiety disorder is currently rated at its maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings or additional service connection. The RO had already granted service connection for PTSD and asthma, and the current appeal was limited to evaluating his HNP and left hip conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The Board also found no evidence of arthritis of the shoulders or hips related to active service, leading to denial of those claims.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 27, 1994. The Board finds that the disability is so severe as to render him unemployable and grants a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from October 27, 1994. However, due to this grant of a 100 percent rating, the claim for TDIU based on service-connected disability is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

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

The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a 20 percent rating for Duodenal Ulcer, resulting in a combined total disability rating of 80 percent. The veteran is also service-connected for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of depression is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected PTSD and chronic pelvic pain, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an undescended right testicle and PTSD, finding no evidence of aggravation during service and insufficient medical evidence to support a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's reported in-service stressors have been established, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the RO's unacceptable practice of not providing examiners with access to the claims folder, and because the clinical findings from previous VA examinations do not align with the current criteria for evaluating PTSD.

The case is being remanded to the RO for the veteran's opportunity to provide testimony before the Board at a video conference hearing. The RO should then return the case to the Board.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and found that new evidence supports a finding of service connection.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The RO has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the May 31, 1988 decision denying an increased rating for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to failure to consider evidence indicating the veteran's unemployability. The December 6, 1989 decision is moot as a result of the reversal in the May 31, 1988 decision.