PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified stressor and thus no basis for a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD most closely approximates a 70 percent evaluation, effective as of the date of this decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, concluding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD. The BVA found that additional evidence was needed to determine if the veteran's symptoms were due to his service-connected condition or other factors.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective April 12, 2000, finding the veteran demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment due to symptoms including depression and suicidal thoughts.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for CUE in the August 1981 rating decision and for an effective date prior to May 9, 1985. The RO established service connection for PTSD on May 9, 1985.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that the preponderance of the evidence showed that the veteran did not have PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling from January 1999 to June 22, 2000. From June 23, 2000, the rating remains at 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is moot due to his current diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The Board also found no evidence of PTSD, and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent for the period beginning November 30, 2000. The rating reflects total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; and memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which the Board found to be appropriate based on his symptoms and GAF score.

The Board determined that the veteran's FECA benefits for aggravation of depression were based on the same disability as his service-connected dysthymia with PTSD, and thus reduced his VA compensation benefits accordingly.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, and his claim for individual unemployability due to PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for PTSD. The December 2000 VA examination report is inadequate for rating purposes.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased disability rating, but denied his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient evidence of verified in-service stressors and a need for updated VA treatment records.