PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, restricted range of emotions, hypervigilance, and chronic sleep disturbance. The disability more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation and earlier effective date for PTSD, finding that the criteria for such were not met.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines.

The VA has assigned a 50 percent rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from June 29, 1998. The current symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and difficulty controlling anger.

The veteran's PTSD has been productive of considerable functional impairment since April 26, 1996, and the Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to exposure to combat-related events during his time in Vietnam.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran's stressors were not verified, and he did not engage in combat during his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for PTSD and increased evaluations for right knee chondromalacia patella with possible meniscus tear, and muscle herniation, anterior tibial muscle with hypesthesia and anterior tibial nerve, right.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it resulted from his service in the Persian Gulf. The claims for arthritis, tension headaches, rash, and acute febrile illness were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active military service and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment since September 30, 2000, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disability in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, dizziness, dehydration, and a back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD service connection and request for an increased rating for right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence received since the October 1995 denial does not provide new and material evidence to support reopening of the PTSD claim, and there is no verifiable stressor sufficient to cause PTSD. For the right knee disorder, the current evaluation remains unchanged as it does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I. The veteran engaged in combat and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his service in Vietnam. However, there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus in service or within one year following discharge, and the Board found that it did not meet the presumptive criteria based on Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's death was due to acute intoxication with opiates, not related to any service-connected condition. The appellant is not eligible for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.