PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2001

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder effective from November 6, 1996 and increased the rating to 100 percent effective October 1, 1999. The appellant is not entitled to an earlier effective date.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for increased PTSD evaluation and service connection for a right eye disorder, varicose veins, degenerative joint disease of the knees, low back disorder, and vascular and heart disorders. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for his right eye disorder as secondary to his left eye disability (traumatic cataract with glaucoma and aphakia). The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for varicose veins. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection for low back disorder and vascular and heart disorders as secondary to his left eye disability and/or shell fragment wounds. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for vascular and heart disorders as secondary to his left eye disability and/or shell fragment wounds. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and a TDIU, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% disabling, and his residuals of cold weather injury of the right hand are rated at 10%. The appeal for a higher rating or reopening of service connection is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for temporary total ratings based on periods of residence at COPIN in 1990 and denied his claim for annual clothing allowance for 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to support a stressor related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his varicose vein scars are not compensable.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury due to new and material evidence. The initial rating evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from May 1998.

The veteran's PTSD results in total occupational impairment and is rated at a 100 percent schedular rating. The claim for TDIU is denied as the veteran has been assigned a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded to obtain verification of claimed stressors and to schedule a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, while significant, do not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 30 percent rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no clear diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD produces no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The veteran's PTSD was not found to be productive of more than mild or definite impairment at any time during the period under review, resulting in a denial for increased ratings.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute to his death, and he was not rated totally disabled for a period of ten years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD meets the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation, and no greater, during all pertinent periods of time. The effective date remains to be determined as it is not specified in the decision.

The veteran's request for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) is inextricably intertwined with his claims for service connection for various disabilities. The appeal of eligibility for RH is held in abeyance pending resolution of the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, right knee disorder, and residuals of a head injury are all service-connected due to credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.