PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to July 19, 2000 and increased to 70 percent effective July 19, 2000. The appeal is denied as the criteria for higher ratings are not met.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 26, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred PTSD during service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board granted a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective June 26, 1992. The RO assigned this effective date after determining that the veteran had not previously submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a disability of the right hand. The decision also denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an anxiety/panic disorder, as there was no diagnosis of PTSD in his records and no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor related to his claimed rape.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 50 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for major depression as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 24, 1999 for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was unemployable prior to this date.

The veteran's appeal to the May 1996 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD was not timely filed, and thus the decision is final.

The veteran argues that his PTSD should have been rated at 100% from the time of discharge, but contends he had a valid claim for a 100% rating since July 26, 1985. He asserts that the matter of rating and effective date remained unresolved.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a chip fracture of the right knee are currently rated as non-compensably disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient clinical data to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and his statements regarding stressors were inconsistent. The diagnosis of PTSD was not based on any verified, credible stressor from the veteran's active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability before June 3, 1982.

The RO reduced the veteran's PTSD disability rating from 30 to 10 percent, effective August 1, 2000. The veteran is now seeking restoration of his previous 30 percent evaluation and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that a current diagnosis of PTSD related to combat stressors has not been established on the basis of the entire record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of both feet, finding that he does not have loss of use of both feet such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the knee with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a disorder of the knees, a stomach disorder, acute appendicitis, an eye disorder, and headaches. The evidence did not support these claims.