PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, both of which are linked to the veteran's service in Vietnam. The veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, while his diabetes mellitus is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a right thigh wound disability, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent effective from August 17, 1999. Prior to that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100% evaluation since June 27, 1995. The disability was rated at 70%. The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude all substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no verified in-service stressor or evidence to support the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The issue of an increased rating for post-gastrectomy syndrome with incisional hernia and dumping syndrome is not before the Board due to jurisdictional issues.

The veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO is being remanded due to his previous request. The issues of reopening his PTSD claim and seeking a total rating based on individual unemployability are still pending.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied a compensable rating for the veteran's PTSD, finding that there is no current symptomatology attributable to the condition.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted based on his reported combat experiences, including coming under enemy fire during his time in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the veteran's exposure to combat situations during his time in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to unverified in-service stressors and lack of supporting evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 2, 1998 and 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his active duty. The berry aneurysm did not occur during service and is not considered to be related to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a left knee disorder were denied. The VA found no evidence of service connection for these conditions, with the exception that his shrapnel fragment wound residuals did not meet criteria for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and residuals of a pinched nerve in the neck, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on verified stressors or other established criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed PTSD stressor has not been verified and therefore denied his claim of service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence, an earlier effective date for increased depression with PTSD ratings, and increased PTSD with depression ratings were denied. The veteran was not granted any of the requested benefits.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was rated at 50 percent from June 8, 1994 to October 12, 1995. The effective date for this rating remains unchanged.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 28, 1996 for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The veteran's initial claim was received on April 8, 1996, and he had been receiving treatment for PTSD at a VA facility since March 28, 1996.