PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in April 1996. The most recent medical evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD and hepatitis with residual splenomegaly as untimely filed, more than a year after the initial rating decision.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since 1999. The Board has now granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the symptoms presented.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and chronic sleep disturbances. This results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because he did not file a timely and adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is of service origin and grants the claim.

The Board has confirmed the denial of an increased evaluation for PTSD, maintaining a 30 percent rating since April 1995.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for PTSD and another type of psychiatric disorder including schizophrenia. The claim for PTSD is granted, while the claim for schizophrenia remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and is remanding the issue of service connection for high blood pressure and a heart disorder secondary to PTSD. The claim for peripheral vascular disease was previously denied, but new evidence submitted does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting serious social and occupational impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran likely has PTSD attributable to stressful events in service, particularly a bombing of his quarters and experiences on a PBR. The diagnosis is presumed based on credible supporting evidence of these stressors.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his superficial metal foreign body wound of the back of the neck warrants a compensable evaluation. The left shoulder shell fragment wound and metallic foreign body wound of the volar surface of the left wrist do not warrant compensable evaluations. The shrapnel wound scar of the scrotum is also rated at 70 percent.

The Board found no current medical evidence confirming the diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for PTSD, a back disorder, and a hernia disability due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in April 1997. The case is remanded for further action.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as a result of her service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has awarded an initial 100 percent disability evaluation for the service-connected PTSD, effective from October 27, 2001.