PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection, finding that he experienced a traumatic event in Vietnam which led to his current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 21, 1990, for a grant of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available under current criteria. The RO has also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of combat involvement and insufficient supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board granted an effective date of August 8, 1995 for the veteran's TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for PTSD and left the issue of an increased evaluation for muscle strain pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to new evidence submitted, but it is still denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD attributable to service.

The Board found new and material evidence had been received to warrant reopening the claim of PTSD, but did not determine whether service connection was warranted.

The veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 22, 1997. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, frequent flashback and nightmares, irritability, occasional suicidal ideations, feelings of alienation, an inability to trust or get emotionally close to others, sleep disturbances, hypervigilant behavior, startle response, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, an inability to concentrate, feelings of rage, impaired short-term memory, and problems with motivation and mood. This results in moderate social and industrial impairment warranting a 50 percent rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal was granted, with a compensable rating of 10% for post-traumatic stress disorder and no change in the evaluation for the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left lower lateral chest.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU was granted, with the effective date set at October 17, 1989. This decision is based on the fact that the veteran became unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities as early as October 17, 1989.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and arthritis, finding no current disability for post-traumatic stress disorder and insufficient evidence linking arthritis to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed PTSD. The gunshot wound scar was rated at 10% from October 13, 1993 to August 17, 1999, but is not compensable after that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of a 100 percent combined service-connected disability evaluation prior to November 9, 1995. The decision found that there was no medical evidence received by the RO between November 9, 1994 and November 9, 1995 reflecting treatment for his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's compensation benefits are currently $60 per month for his minor child. The appellant requests a greater amount of apportionment, and the RO has requested additional financial information from both parties to determine if an increase is warranted.

The veteran's pension benefits were reduced due to his receipt of Social Security disability benefits, effective June 1, 1996. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on the law and not disputed by evidence.