PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The VA granted the veteran's claim of service-connection for PTSD, but maintained a rating of 30 percent, which is the current disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely and adequately perfect an appeal of his claims for increased disability ratings for residuals of a fracture of the left femur, multiple shell fragment wound scars, and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (claimed as a right lung condition). The claim for PTSD was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, as the veteran's claim was not received within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 50 percent evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted, but the RO is seeking additional evidence to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 22, 1991. The VA has granted a higher initial rating for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder from April 29, 1999, to meet his current level of disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not sustain a qualifying, verifiable stressor during service which supports a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, his claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran was granted a temporary total rating for PTSD from March 27, 1995 to April 19, 1995. The effective date of the increased schedular evaluation of 100 percent is set at March 27, 1995.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the in-service stressor could not be verified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation, effective from June 18, 2000.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of a stressor and details of specific events.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including failure to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination for PTSD. The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran experienced sexual trauma in service resulting in current PTSD. The claims for anorexia nervosa and bulimia are addressed separately.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic lumbar spine disorder during service and arthritis of the spine was not manifest within one year after service. The Board also determined that his current back problems were not due to an injury in service but instead related to an on-the-job injury many years after service. For post-traumatic stress disorder, the Board found that there is no occupational or social impairment warranting a higher rating than 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is denied as it is due to alcohol abuse, not related to his military service. The claim for PTSD remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warranted a restoration of a 50 percent rating, which was previously reduced to 30 percent. The reduction was improper due to sustained material improvement in symptomatology attributable to PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder and his claim for service connection for PTSD. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional information from the veteran regarding potential stressors during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine injury residuals, and right ankle fracture. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.