PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board found that post-traumatic stress disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible supporting evidence of a stressor (including personal assault) during service. Therefore, the claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent evaluation from September 29, 1999 to October 7, 2002 and a 70 percent evaluation from October 8, 2002 forward.

The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to December 1, 2000 for TDIU benefits was denied as he had been employed since October 1998 and did not meet the criteria for TDIU benefits prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore denied service connection. The left ankle disability issue was also addressed, but as there is no clear indication of an exceptional or unusual disability picture, the claim for extraschedular consideration was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's claims are now subject to de novo review.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for PTSD and Personality Disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed condition in service or since service. The claimant's personality disorder is not considered a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his back strain and pain resolved without residual disability. The Board also found no evidence linking sinusitis to service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest schedular evaluation (100 percent) since its initial grant of service connection, reflecting total social and industrial inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since December 22, 1995. As a result, he is entitled to an effective date of December 22, 1995 for his total rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but it is not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor occurred.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of receipt of the claim. The veteran's nasal deformity with obstructed breathing remains at a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation for PTSD and tinnitus were denied.,PTSD was rated at 30 percent, with no higher rating granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on June 26, 1989. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set to June 26, 1989.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse warrants a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The RO had previously granted service connection and a 50 percent disability rating, which was later increased to 70 percent effective from May 1997.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective February 18, 1997. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the period from July 29, 1992 to February 17, 1997.