PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder did not result in intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, and thus a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of PTSD is November 30, 2000.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The veteran's PTSD with panic disorder is productive of anxiety, depression, frequent panic attacks, nightmares, sleep disturbance, and some subjective complaints of memory impairment and difficulty in establishing effective social relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in severe social and industrial impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from August 10, 1994.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, effective from November 7, 1996. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 7, 1994 for the grant of service connection for somatoform disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder. The issue of increased rating remains pending.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal as to the issue of the propriety of the initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD due to the failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection for PTSD, bilateral eye disability, skin rash and keloids (secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and reopening of a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is remanded for further development including consideration of new evidence submitted by the veteran's attorney.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 100% evaluation and the earliest possible effective date is set at December 18, 2002. The denial of his claim for Character Disorder remains in effect as there was no clear and unmistakable error found in this decision.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from February 23, 1998, and increased to 50 percent effective July 1, 1998. Temporary total ratings have been assigned for periods of treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of a stressor and no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to receipt of VA benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct during service, which includes intoxication while on duty and operating a military vehicle while intoxicated. The appellant was not found insane at the time he committed these offenses.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he was denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his disabilities.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent and later increased to 50 percent, effective from March 17, 2000.