PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disability from PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied, and his current disability ratings for PTSD were upheld.

The veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at a 50 percent rating prior to October 2, 2000. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, including depression, anxiety, anger, and difficulty in maintaining social relationships, warrant a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder to 50 percent, effective from December 3, 1999. The case is also scheduled for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 28, 1995. The RO assigned a 70 percent rating effective July 2, 1991.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD from November 7, 1996 to December 18, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for a respiratory condition. The veteran's PTSD is based on a stressor related to his son's death during service, while the respiratory condition claim was not supported by evidence of in-service injury or disease.

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

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, finding no link between the veteran's current symptoms and his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective December 3, 1999, based on the veteran's worsening symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to various symptoms, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that a psychiatric disorder existed prior to service, and because there is no clear evidence linking her current anxiety disorder to in-service stressors.

The veteran's appeal concerning an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed. The effective date of the 50 percent disability rating for PTSD is set at October 29, 1996.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which represents the maximum schedular evaluation possible under current rating criteria. The Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there were no confirmed stressors in service to support the diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 14, 1994. The RO increased the rating to 50 percent effective June 20, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and right ankle disability do not preclude substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to prevent him from working.