PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as it did not result from disease or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in law and the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's bipolar disorder or PTSD to his period of active duty service and denied both claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that it is related to his military service.

The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD does not warrant a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD caused considerable impairment in his ability to establish or maintain effective relationships with people and industrial impairment due to reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 1, 1988. From that date, the condition again caused no more than considerable impairment.

The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for PTSD effective from January 17, 1997. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted in March 1992.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and denied his claims for increased ratings of PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective August 4, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experience, and he is granted a grant of service connection for this condition. The hearing testimony provided by Dr. Ortiz supports the diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular condition, including as secondary to PTSD. The veteran's heart disease is found to be aggravated by his PTSD and warrants an effective date of May 15, 1998.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, based on new evidence submitted after his initial claim. The appeal was granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals of a severe sprain of the right ankle. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted increased ratings for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with PTSD receiving a rating of 70 percent and the lumbar spine condition receiving a rating of 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no credible evidence to support the claimed stressors and thus unable to establish a causal link between the diagnosed PTSD and service.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 9, 2000. His diabetes mellitus and vagotomy with pyloroplasty are both rated as 40 percent disabling. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for glaucoma was denied.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the January 1991 decision that denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The evidence now shows severe social and industrial impairment, which warrants a 100 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is service-connected and his PTSD warrants a 70% evaluation, but not an increased rating.