PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's PTSD is permanently and totally disabling, warranting a permanent total rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration and VA outpatient clinic in Orlando, Florida. The USASCRUR will be contacted to verify any claimed stressors during his Vietnam service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, based on new evidence submitted since the previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange, finding that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors were not corroborated. The claim for a skin disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a disease specified by statute resulting from herbicide exposure.

The veteran's PTSD has been shown to cause some social and occupational impairment, but not enough to warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD developed as a result of in-service stressful experiences, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's PTSD was increased to a 70 percent rating effective May 22, 1997. The previous ratings were 30 percent from December 1990 and 50 percent from December 1998.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or being housebound.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there is no medical evidence prior to October 6, 1992, that established he required such assistance.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a video-conference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and assigned disability ratings for his PTSD, bilateral hip disorders, and low back disorder. The appeals regarding these issues are now closed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to verify his in-service stressor and concluding that he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, the highest available under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluation for his claimed disabilities, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors and that the residuals of his stress fracture were essentially asymptomatic.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD resulted in moderate social and occupational impairment, consistent with no more than an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. The criteria for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for sinusitis, finding no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred during his active military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for PTSD. The claim for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service connected pension purposes was referred to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating from the effective date of service connection.