PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis or in-service occurrence.

The Board found that the veteran did not experience a verified in-service stressor and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD. The claim was denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor and thus no basis to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 100 percent, effective from March 22, 1995.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for PTSD and a prior effective date for total rating based on individual unemployability. The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD must be remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, shell fragment wound scars of the right foot, and shell fragment wound scars of the left foot were denied by the Board.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 8, 1991 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not meet the criteria under DSM-IV for PTSD and there was no verified in-service stressor related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service records from Italy and verifying service stressors for PTSD. The veteran will also undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for a permanent and total rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evaluations and information.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) has been reopened, and she is granted service connection for her current psychiatric disorder. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was granted, but the disability remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his fatal coronary artery disease, which was the cause of his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence. The issue of whether he engaged in combat with the enemy is also pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 18, 1996 for a grant of an increased disability evaluation for PTSD was granted. The effective date is set at April 18, 1996.