PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and his petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD were denied. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for alcohol/substance abuse was also denied due to the statute prohibiting compensation benefits for primary alcohol abuse.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including migraine headaches, COPD, asthma, tussive syncope, fatigue, major depression and PTSD, joint soreness due to an undiagnosed illness, hepatitis C, diarrhea, dental disorders (loss of teeth), and hemorrhoids have been granted. The service connection is determined on the merits for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 9, 1998, for the grant of service connection and compensation for PTSD. The RO assigned a 50 percent disability evaluation to the veteran's PTSD as of January 9, 1998.

The Board found no verified stressor and denied service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of combat involvement and insufficient supporting evidence for claimed stressors. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on a non-combat related stressor.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his anxiety with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, including clinical records from Dr. Patel.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a comprehensive psychiatric examination and an S & I Survey to evaluate the veteran's employability due to his PTSD. The RO will then determine whether staged ratings for PTSD are appropriate.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating from February 7, 1996 through May 17, 2000. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since April 18, 1998. The left hand disability is rated at 10 percent. The scars of the chest and right knee are rated at 10 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his claimed stressors could not be verified and he did not engage in combat.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and thus no basis to establish a link between current symptoms and any claimed in-service stressors.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 1999. The Board found that the current level of disability warrants a 50 percent rating, effective from November 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, an acute myocardial infarction, was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his service-connected PTSD and/or malaria.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in wartime service. Service connection for bilateral flatfoot and secondary knee disabilities are granted, with a rating of 10% for the bilateral flatfoot.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause. The RO will consider both old and current rating criteria for mental disorders.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and a back condition. The RO denied these claims in their initial rating decisions. The appeal is now before the Board.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor and insufficient medical evidence to support the diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms are consistent with PTSD and can be related to a condition that began while he was on active duty. The RO will further develop the record and consider the issue of the appropriate rating for the veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50% evaluation, effective from June 5, 1995. The RO denied an increased rating for his bilateral hand injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for Hepatitis C and Neurodermatitis are also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.