PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in 1988. The veteran provided additional medical evidence indicating a diagnosis of chronic PTSD related to sexual trauma during his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and determined that the appellant is unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD, granting both issues.

The veteran's PTSD is currently productive of feelings of depression, a flattened affect, and occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD have been met.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD, which is manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment, results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency. The current evaluation of 30 percent accurately reflects this level of impairment.

The veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 11, 1995, for a compensable rating of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, and he has additional disabilities that independently rate at 60 percent or more. He is not in need of regular aid and attendance but is substantially confined to his dwelling due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with depression warrants a 50 percent evaluation from November 15, 2000, due to symptoms approximating total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors and thus failing to meet the second element required by 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorders have been denied as they are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he was exposed to verified stressors in Vietnam and that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to these events.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's PTSD is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no diagnosis of PTSD and thus failing to meet all three elements required under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board denied the claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as his service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantial and gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD attributable to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's claim is based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to bilateral hearing loss, and there is no evidence of a chronic skin disorder or PTSD. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from November 1997. His service-connected disabilities are found to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to his military experiences in Vietnam, applying the reasonable doubt doctrine.