PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling from November 1, 1996 to December 10, 1997. The RO granted a temporary total rating for hospitalization during this period.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors and thus the diagnosis of PTSD could not be linked to service.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.,The veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The RO has granted this claim, but not before September 19, 1997.,The veteran claims service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange (AO).,Service connection was denied for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify stressors and determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in July 1989.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service due to lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence supporting a diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 70% evaluation for PTSD should be September 25, 1996, as this is the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the veteran's PTSD had increased in severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressors and combat involvement, leading to an inadequate diagnosis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, respiratory disability including sarcoidosis, joint pain, skin condition, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or onset within one year of separation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, varicose veins of the left leg, arthritis of the right hand, and labyrinthitis, residuals of otitis media. The RO had previously assigned noncompensable evaluations to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was insufficient evidence to verify his claimed stressors. As a result, service connection for PTSD could not be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings, including obtaining clarifying medical information and arranging for a psychiatric evaluation at a VA Medical Center. The veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU may now be reconsidered.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of PTSD, but denied service connection as there was no confirmed in-service combat or stressor.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms including anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, memory impairment, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the stressors and determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted his claim for service connection.