PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD, finding that his current symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms primarily manifested by chronic depression and irritability, sleep impairment, social isolation, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, fluctuating moods, anxiety, partial insight, and impaired personal relationships resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD, allowing the veteran's appeal.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but without symptoms such as suicidal ideation or obsessional rituals. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher initial disability rating.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder was initially rated at 50 percent, and later granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective May 25, 2000. The residuals of the shell fragment wound to the right lower extremity were rated as noncompensable, while the residuals of the gunshot wound to the right arm were also rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent disability rating, reflecting severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA psychiatric examination without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that entitlement to service connection arose in March 1994 and the earliest possible effective date is August 25, 1994.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim on the merits.

The veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than July 19, 1993 for service connection and a higher evaluation for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not file a claim prior to July 19, 1993, but his entitlement to service connection for PTSD arose on May 4, 1993. An effective date of July 19, 1993 was assigned for both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities and for PTSD, finding that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship between his service-connected conditions and his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is incurred in active service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in considerable social and industrial impairment, but not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD renders him demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression, thus denying the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and did not engage in combat with an enemy, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's drug and alcohol abuse developed as a result of his service-connected PTSD, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU rating due to service-connected disability.