PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board. The claims related to service connection and disability ratings are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and determined the effective date should be March 3, 1989, based on new evidence received from the Unit Records Center.

The veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating under either the old or new criteria.

PTSD was granted and rated at 30 percent from September 18, 1997, to July 8, 2001.,PTSD was increased to 70 percent effective July 9, 2001.

The veteran requested an earlier effective date for a TDIU, which was granted based on the receipt of his informal claim. His service-connected ischemic heart disease and PTSD were already rated at their maximum levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to mild symptoms.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and other physical disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 29, 1994 for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been granted. The RO initially denied the claim in December 1994 due to the veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. However, the veteran indicated his willingness to attend a rescheduled examination and provided an explanation for not attending the initial one. The effective date is set at July 11, 1996.

The veteran's PTSD with alcohol and opioid abuse was granted a 50 percent evaluation from October 19, 1999 to November 29, 2000. A subsequent rating of 70 percent was assigned as of November 30, 2000.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a 10 percent rating for chest injury residuals, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 15, 1991 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The veteran's claim was received within one year of the VA report indicating that his PTSD had become 100 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, sufficient to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent disabling effective September 14, 1999.,A separate 10 percent evaluation has been granted for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left patella with degenerative changes.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected schizophrenic reaction, unclassified, effective July 2001.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss disabilities make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The denial is based on a lack of credible supporting evidence that any claimed in-service stressful events actually occurred.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his claim for an increased rating for fissure in ano was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.