PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and his current psychiatric symptoms did not begin during service or due to any incident of service. Therefore, service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, was denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from chronic right knee or right ankle disabilities, nor does he have PTSD. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that an effective date prior to April 24, 1998 for the assignment of a 100% evaluation for service-connected PTSD is not warranted due to lack of evidence demonstrating total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by total occupational impairment and virtual isolation, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The veteran was granted a 70% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective October 8, 2001. The claims were originally filed in April 1997.

The Board has granted increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, headaches secondary to fragment wound, and polypoid right frontal sinus. The other claims remain unchanged.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation under the applicable criteria.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 2, 2001 for a 50 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that there is a nexus between the veteran's hepatitis C and his service. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to insufficient details provided by the veteran regarding the claimed stressors.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and post-tibial nerve neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 20, 1999 for a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not show that his PTSD increased to the 100 percent level on any date within the year preceding the July 1999 claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issue is now on the merits.

The veteran's PTSD has been assigned a 50 percent evaluation since May 13, 1997. The Board found that the evidence satisfies the criteria for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and residuals of a wound to the right forearm are service-connected, with combat exposure in Korea serving as the basis for both conditions.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the veteran's PTSD and awarded a 50 percent rating for his PTSD, effective from September 1991.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, recollections of Vietnam events, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The VA has determined that the disability meets the criteria for a total rating due to its severe impact on employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 26, 1999, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his PTSD increased to its present level until December 1999.