PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors and thus insufficient to establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service event.

The VA granted service connection for PTSD and initially assigned a 50 percent rating. The veteran's condition improved, leading to the assignment of a higher 70 percent rating starting from July 24, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and there is no evidence of a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his hearing preferences and further development.

The veteran's PTSD and associated major depressive disorder have been rated at a 70 percent level, effective from the date service connection was granted.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective September 1, 2000. The veteran's PTSD is productive of severe social impairment resulting in deficiencies in his social relationships and near continuous depression.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of such.

The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 23, 2002. He also received a 100% schedular rating for PTSD as of August 28, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service and there was no objective evidence of an in-service stressor. The veteran does not currently have PTSD as a result of experiences in service.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the denial of service connection for PTSD because the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal. The claim for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is directly related to his service in Vietnam, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 17, 1999 for his service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the veteran's claimed stressor, and thus denied her claim of service connection for PTSD.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the veteran's PTSD, finding that his impairment did not meet the criteria for more severe disability.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied by the Board, as her claim was received on May 22, 1998, which is considered the latest possible effective date.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted, including personal statements describing his alleged stressors in service and VA medical records showing treatment for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, except for the grant of a 10 percent rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot effective October 29, 1945. The other conditions and issues remain at their current levels.