PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, based on direct evidence of a current diagnosis and an in-service stressor. The case was remanded due to issues related to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was primarily manifested by mild depression and anxiety, resulting in mild to moderate social and industrial impairment from July 21, 1992, to March 8, 1994. The initial 10 percent evaluation assigned for this period is upheld.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis and no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent, effective July 6, 1998. However, the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his PTSD with major depression, which is currently rated at 50 percent. The RO has requested additional medical records and the veteran needs to provide information about any other healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions since April 1997.

The Board found that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder manifested by chronic sleep impairment, difficulty communicating with others, few friends, irritability, and some flashbacks did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran is granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability effective from April 25, 1990. The claim of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability from August 22, 1983 should be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 29, 1996 for a 100% rating for service-connected PTSD. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable during the one-year period before February 29, 1996 that there had been an increase in PTSD symptoms warranting such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a cold injury to the ears, cheeks, and temples, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nicotine dependence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) secondary to nicotine dependence, testicular disorder, residuals of an eye injury, low back disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Board found no current disability for the claimed ear condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support his claimed stressors and that he did not engage in combat with the enemy. As a result, the standard for service connection for PTSD does not apply.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher evaluation of his PTSD, currently rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to an in-service stressor, and his residuals from shell fragment wounds are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to a lack of evidence linking his current symptoms to verified stressors in service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective November 16, 1994 and assigned a 100% disability rating. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted in November 1995.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 17, 1981 to July 14, 1994.

The VA determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, which aligns with his current condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to restore a 50 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) effective August 1, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and denied increased ratings for the right ankle and knee disabilities. The veteran's conditions were found to be due to his military service, but no new evidence was presented to reopen a previously denied claim.