PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings on four conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing their appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and psychosomatic tension/vascular headaches was denied because the earliest date from which it could be factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred is September 24, 1996.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 1, 1992 for a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to incomplete development and procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his stressors were not related to his Vietnam service and that further development was needed in accordance with VA Manual M21-1.

The veteran's PTSD-related symptoms have not changed since the previous rating decision, and his service-connected disability does not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from July 10, 1995. The initial 20 percent evaluation assigned for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is maintained.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the October 1982 decision. The VA examination in January 2000 concluded that there was no indication of PTSD, but diagnosed chronic alcoholism and personality disorder.

The veteran's PTSD disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and denied claims for service connection for headaches and a skin disorder due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service or any link to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD, nicotine dependence due to inservice tobacco use, cardiac disability due to inservice tobacco use, and pulmonary disorder due to inservice tobacco use. The decision was based on a finding that there were no confirmed stressors in Vietnam and insufficient evidence of a diagnosed PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD precludes him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an active psychosis within two years following her discharge from service.

The VA has awarded a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from January 1, 1998. The appellant's condition is currently rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that any in-service stressors actually occurred, and because he was not found to have engaged in combat with the enemy.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, consistent with his educational attainment and occupational experience.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.