PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of September 18, 1987 for the original rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD effective from January 9, 2000. The veteran requested an earlier effective date based on the liberalizing criteria in assessing stressors.

The veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 100% rating as of June 22, 1989, and the effective date for this rating is set at that time.

The VA has determined that the current evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD is appropriate given the veteran's symptoms, which include sleep disturbances, nightmares, and flashbacks. These symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for a timely substantive appeal of the denial of an increased evaluation for status post ACL reconstruction of the right knee. The claims for higher ratings for PTSD, patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), and myofascial lumbosacral spine pain are still pending.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible schedular rating due to its severe impact on his ability to work.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and spastic colon secondary to hernia repair. The denial is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions directly to her military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for burial benefits at the rate prescribed for a service-connected death.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his total rating based on individual unemployability, but the RO has denied this request. The case will be remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure full compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The left knee disability remains rated at 20 percent, with a separate rating of 10 percent for arthritis.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since November 21, 1997, and the RO granted TDIU benefits from that date to September 23, 1999.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The veteran does not suffer an inability to perform tasks due to such symptoms as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment or mild memory loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus. The veteran is found to have current PTSD related to in-service stressors, which was incurred during active military service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 50% for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that it results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a permanent total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD and major depression, finding that the evidence does not show that the disability is reasonably certain to continue throughout his lifetime.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current medical evidence of a diagnosis and noting that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. The decision also mentions that the VA examinations demonstrated that the veteran does not have PTSD.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for PTSD from the date of receipt of the claim, which is February 21, 1997.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, and he is still seeking a TDIU.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.