PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence provided by the veteran, including specific details of alleged in-service stressors. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and the effective date is set at April 9, 1997.

The veteran's claim for payment of or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization at the DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Virginia, from May 27 to June 3, 1991, was denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The RO must make further attempts to retrieve specific VA treatment records referred to by the veteran, including those from Drs. Kagan and Nunez at the VAMC in West LA. Additionally, the RO should ensure that all additional notification and development actions required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 are completed.

The veteran's claim for restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right neck and posterior right shoulder is granted from August 15, 1989.,The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD are denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board determined that the veteran does not currently have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board also found no evidence of a service connection for such disorders.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The veteran's condition is now considered a chronic paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of his previously denied claim.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently manifested by severe symptoms, including social isolation and occupational impairment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 100 percent schedular rating have been met.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which equates to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood due to symptoms like suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, intermittent illogical speech, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on occupational and social impairment.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board found no verified in-service stressor for PTSD and denied the veteran's claim as there was insufficient evidence to support his diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent, reflecting its severe impact on his daily life and employment. The residuals of a lacerated right thumb have not met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied reopening the claims for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and bone spurs of the feet. The veteran's PTSD symptoms were not found to meet criteria for a higher rating. His burns and chest wound residuals did not warrant increased ratings.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his right hip condition is rated at 20 percent. The temporary total evaluation for PTSD beyond August 1, 1998, was granted.

The veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, effective from March 11, 1997 to August 3, 2000, has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD demonstrated sustained improvement and granted a reduced rating from 50 percent to 30 percent, effective November 1, 1999.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development of evidence.