PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and residuals of Punji stick wound to the left buttock, as well as his claim regarding a timely NOD with an August 1971 rating decision. The effective date for service connection was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD with associated depression and anxiety is manifested by an overall Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of only 45, due to the extent of his ongoing difficulty relating to others, including members of his own family. Because of this severity, he is incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, even irrespective of various other conditions that are not service connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that it was not established through direct evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a back disorder due to new evidence submitted since the 1988 decisions. The appeals are now before the RO for further consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hand injury and TDIU, as well as the propriety of severance of service connection for PTSD due to lack of timely substantive appeal.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and his right foot fracture remains at 10 percent. The Board has granted a higher rating for PTSD but denied the claim for total disability based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was remanded due to inconsistencies between the VA examination and treatment records, and the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from July 1, 1996 to June 15, 1997.

The Board has ordered additional development of the evidence to determine if the veteran's claimed in-service stressors occurred and whether his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise a June 1994 decision that had previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran argued that his mental problems were due to PTSD during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy.

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 granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from August 11, 1994. The decision also found that the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and the assignment of a compensable rating for postoperative right inguinal hernia, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence to support the diagnosis.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of incapacitating symptoms resulting in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic stress disorder, currently rated at 30 percent. The decision concluded that the current rating adequately reflects the veteran's symptoms.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. However, it was determined that the veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed stressors are not credible.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and evaluation of various conditions, including left ear tinnitus, left shoulder adhesive capsulitis, dizziness, a skull condition, photophobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for right ear tinnitus.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's in-service stressors are supported by evidence and has granted service connection for PTSD.