PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 1, 2001. The symptoms have caused significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's respiratory disorder is not service-connected, and his PTSD claim for an evaluation in excess of 50% was denied. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted (PTSD) while others were not (respiratory disorder).

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability warrants a 100 percent schedular rating due to his severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to corroborate at least one of his claimed in-service stressors and that he likely developed PTSD during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD based on a verified stressor. The claim was denied.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by weekly nightmares about his combat experiences, a generalized difficulty with insomnia, a hyper-startle reaction, and intrusive recollections that result in depression and anxiety. However, the symptoms do not cause reduced reliability and productivity or difficulty establishing effective social relationships.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and facial scars as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions in conformity with DSM-IV, and no confirmed findings or diagnoses related to service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for sinusitis and granted an increased rating of 30 percent for a cervical spine disorder. The propriety of the initial evaluation for PTSD was also addressed, but as noted in the decision summary, this issue has been resolved.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The diagnosis of PTSD is supported by a medical opinion linking it to the veteran's military service in Vietnam, which was corroborated by his unit records.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and residuals of head injury with amnesia, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his in-service experiences.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and further adjudication of his claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, but it was not established that the veteran experienced a verified stressor in military service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the August 1990 RO decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that any claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a 50 percent rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms, which include frequent panic attacks and impairment in short-term memory.

The veteran's PTSD is not shown to be productive of severe impairment of social and industrial adaptability, as required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam.

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

The veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling from January 31, 1995 to September 30, 1997 and as 70 percent disabling since then. The RO granted an increased rating to 70 percent for the PTSD effective from September 30, 1997.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from March 28, 1988, to January 30, 1989.