PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise with respect to the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, and granted it based on his DSM-IV diagnosis, corroborated stressor incident involving a rocket attack, and link between current PTSD diagnosis and Vietnam stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his right knee disability. The claim for PTSD was denied due to a lack of current diagnosis, while the right knee disability was rated at 10% based on arthritis with limitation of motion.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to have likely rendered him demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment since May 11, 1993. The Board has assigned a 100 percent rating for the service-connected PTSD effective on April 12, 1995.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD from December 26, 1996 to May 17, 2000 is shown to have been manifested by a depressed mood and some chronic sleep impairment, symptoms which were not completely controlled by continuous medication. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 30 percent evaluation for this period.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the appellant's PTSD, which is manifested by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, irritability, anger, and social isolation. The initial rating was granted following service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in March 1984. The veteran now seeks to establish service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial in October 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease and duodenitis were incurred in or aggravated by service, warranting service connection on a direct basis.

The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder and denied service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia. The veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is not considered in relation to his current diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD that is linked to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no medical evidence of a causal nexus between diagnosed PTSD and his claimed in-service stressor. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and anxiety is January 20, 2002.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by mood disturbances such as depression, anxiety, and irritability; recurrent nightmares; and chronic sleep disturbances. The Board has determined that the disability warrants a 30 percent rating from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection and compensation for PTSD is July 9, 1997, the date of receipt of the application to reopen the claim with new and material evidence after a final disallowance.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes was denied due to his failure to report for scheduled examinations without explanation, and the evidence did not show that his innocently acquired disabilities rendered him permanently and totally disabled.

The veteran is entitled to an initial 70 percent evaluation for PTSD during the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the veteran's PTSD, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.