PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from a heart attack, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with occupational and social impairment but without more severe functional limitations.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not significantly impair his occupational and social functioning.

The VA has determined that the veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD cannot be earlier than February 28, 1997 due to a prior final denial in July 1995 and the lack of timely appeal. The claim must therefore be denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred, and thus did not meet the threshold legal requirement for establishing service connection for PTSD.

The Board found no evidence supporting the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, as there was insufficient medical evidence linking his current symptoms to an inservice stressor. The VA psychiatrists who examined him concluded that he did not have PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his symptoms were better explained by other conditions, such as depression. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's PTSD was productive of no more than moderate social and occupational impairment prior to July 27, 2002. Since then, he has experienced severe social and occupational impairment.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for hearing loss and denied evaluations in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from October 30, 1998, to January 26, 2000. The appeal is dismissed as it pertains to an issue no longer before VA.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk without aid.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral heel and foot problems, left knee disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1990 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for manic depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus (not related to Agent Orange exposure), and PTSD. The TDIU issue was deferred due to additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault/rape did not support her PTSD claim due to lack of credible corroborating evidence and unsubstantiated reports.

The Board has determined that the veteran was entitled to service connection for PTSD, which is a new and material issue based on evidence obtained after his death. The claim was granted as an accrued benefits claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of no more than 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.