PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants an increased rating to 70 percent, effective from June 15, 1995.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) found that the July 16, 1982 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD and assigning an effective date of November 13, 1981 was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension/heart disability, finding insufficient evidence to support the claims. The veteran's reported stressors were not verified, and there was no credible supporting evidence of an inservice stressor or a link between current symptoms and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of whether he had stressors in service that could have caused PTSD is now considered.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective February 1, 1998. The RO granted an earlier effective date of March 2001 for the assignment of a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant higher evaluations or service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board found no objective clinical evidence of PTSD and the veteran refused to participate in a VA psychiatric examination. The diminished vision, injury of ribs on left side of chest, and low back injury were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD due to stressor events in service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and higher ratings for his right toe disability and hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and that the veteran does not have actual loss of use of his right foot.

The veteran's death was due to end stage liver disease, and he had service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The VA denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as no additional compensation benefits were due at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) should be July 14, 1998, as this corresponds to when the veteran became unable to secure or maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than July 27, 2000 for the grant of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The veteran's PTSD is currently productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted an effective date of June 23, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in active military service.