PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's PTSD has been shown to be productive of total occupational and social impairment since the date of receipt of the claim for service connection on March 24, 1997. Therefore, an initial 100 percent rating is granted for PTSD from March 24, 1997 through May 2, 1999.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and increased the evaluation to 70 percent effective June 30, 2001. The effective dates for the right thigh, lower leg, and foot disabilities were not earlier than April 7, 1998.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation for PTSD and has established an effective date of April 29, 2001, for the award of service connection.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and lumbar disc disease at L4-5, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are October 9, 1996, for PTSD, and December 17, 1979, for lumbar disc disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressors. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error was denied.

The veteran's death was attributed to generalized arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, with post-traumatic stress disorder listed as a contributory cause. Service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD in a March 2000 rating decision. The appeal is currently pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and PTSD must be remanded to obtain additional information from his personnel file, verify any claimed stressors or helicopter crash landing, and schedule him for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD should be retroactive to November 11, 1987.

The veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in service due to combat-related events, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision. As a result, the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board found that the veteran had not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as he failed to provide sufficient details about his in-service stressors and VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disability was denied as his PTSD alone did not render him unemployable.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of PTSD and service connection for alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 28, 1997 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and denied his claim of service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD and schizophrenia have been granted service connection, with the PTSD being directly related to his military service. His schizophrenia has also been increased from a 30% rating to a 50% rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is required for another PTSD examination based on a full review of the claims file, to include a request for the examiner to dissociate the effects of the veteran's April 1993 stroke from his PTSD.