PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder has caused total occupational and social impairment since November 1995, preventing him from obtaining or retaining employment.

The veteran does not have PTSD as a result of his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran meets the criteria for this condition due to his wartime experience in Vietnam. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis with cystic lesions, claimed as due to herbicide agents used in Vietnam, is also granted.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD and concluded that his symptoms were better explained by dysthymic depression. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent under either the criteria in effect before or after November 7, 1996.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from April 17, 1996.

The veteran's PTSD has been found to be so severe that he is demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his service in combat during his time in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, as there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD in the record.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from May 19, 1997, and increased to 70 percent from March 2, 2000. The left knee condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The VA denied increased ratings for PTSD and tinea pedis, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria in effect at the time.

The Board granted an increased rating to 30 percent for PTSD and denied a compensable rating for the shell fragment wound of the right thigh.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, present in service or related to active duty. The veteran's sleep apnea is also not shown to be causally related to service. Service connection for disabilities of the joints other than the back, liver disability, skin disability, and stomach disability are denied as well. The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding no verifiable stressors and thus no basis to grant the claim.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, the highest available under VA's rating criteria. The veteran's severe symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected PTSD effective from October 17, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The Board found that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and his residuals of head trauma also did not warrant an increase in rating.

The veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, which meets his claim for an increased evaluation. The other issues were either not granted or are pending.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have PTSD due to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.