PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD should be set at September 21, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an undescended right testicle and PTSD, finding that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service and there was no credible evidence of a stressor related to PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD and no increase in hearing loss during or after service.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions (depression, anxiety, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach disorder, and heart disorder) as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in March 1997. The reopened claim will be further developed.

The veteran's PTSD has caused a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent, effective November 12, 1991. Effective January 21, 1999, the rating for PTSD has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board has determined that an effective date of December 6, 2000 for a total schedular evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability (post-traumatic stress disorder with associated major affective disorder, depressed) is warranted.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a cervical spine disability were both denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any link between the claimed conditions and active duty service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 14, 2000 for a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the veteran was exposed to in-service stressors and meets all three criteria required by VA regulations for a grant of entitlement.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a cardiovascular disability.

The veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, isolation from others, and periodic hallucinations. He had reduced reliability and productivity due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's hearing loss in the right ear to service, and that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of verified in-service stressor. The veteran's claims were therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was insufficient credible evidence to substantiate his claimed in-service stressors and thus no direct service connection could be established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no verified stressful in-service event and the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied by the Board. The RO granted service connection for PTSD on August 14, 2000, with a noncompensable rating and effective from that date.