PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from January 1997, based on the severity of symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and difficulty with concentration.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected depression with history of PTSD symptoms, effective from November 7, 1996.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn it.

The Board found that the preponderance of medical evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder incurred in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeals due to his withdrawal of all his appeals before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not include all of the symptoms associated with a 50% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent, as they did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but is not considering the merits of the claim at this time.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus his lay testimony alone is insufficient to establish the occurrence of the alleged stressors. The only verified stressor related by the veteran was the death of Master Sergeant Edward A. Coffey, which occurred during service but the veteran did not learn about it until after separation. Therefore, the claim for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits is dismissed as he withdrew the appeal. The claim for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 is denied due to the treatment not involving hospitalization.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence linking his hypertension to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by suicide attributable to PTSD, which is service-connected. The appellant is also granted basic eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for the service-connected back disability, classified as post-traumatic degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with wedging of T1 and L1 vertebral bodies. The claim for a higher evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) effective from November 7, 1996. The decision concludes that the veteran is demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment due to his PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent disabling from May 24, 1996 to October 14, 1997. The effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted but not specified.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of a stressor related to service. Therefore, PTSD was denied as incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a right toe disability, finding no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor. The veteran's assertions were not corroborated by any evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip disability, eye problems, and PTSD are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of PTSD due to the appellant's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.