PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The veteran's PTSD is causing severe psychiatric symptoms and total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's post-traumatic psychoneurosis (identified as a generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD) effective from October 31, 2001.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, excessive sweating, bursitis of the left hip, and loss of memory due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals has been noted. The case is being remanded to schedule the veteran for such a hearing.

The veteran's daughter, the appellant, was not entitled to Chapter 35 educational assistance for her university studies from August 1987 to August 1991 due to a lack of notification and because she did not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 9, 1997 for a 100% evaluation for PTSD, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his PTSD was totally disabling prior to this date.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound of the left shoulder with degenerative joint disease and PTSD, as there is no more than moderately severe impairment in motion or occupational impairment.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection for hypertension. The initial noncompensable ratings for PTSD and residuals of a right ankle fracture remain on appeal, with the issue of an increased rating for the ankle fracture from June 8, 2000 still pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating, effective from August 30, 1996.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The VA has granted an initial 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from March 5, 1999. The veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to involve total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence and changes in his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not warrant a 50% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The veteran's initial rating of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD has been upheld, and he is seeking a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence of a stressor. The claims for reopening the foot disorder, hearing loss in the right ear, and chronic skin disorder of the groin and thigh were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 100 percent, effective as of September 9, 2002.

The veteran's service connected disabilities do not require use of braces, a wheelchair, or prescribed medications that cause irreparable harm to outer garments. Therefore, the veteran is not entitled to payment of a VA clothing allowance.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in October 1982 and again in July 1986. The veteran requested to reopen his claim on January 11, 1996, but the appeal was not successful as it became final due to lack of timely appeal within one year.