PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10% from July 14, 1988. It was later increased to 70% effective December 16, 1988. The RO denied service connection for drug abuse and alcohol dependence. A total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is pending.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination in order to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized by generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD, has resulted in total social and industrial impairment since March 9, 1993.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD, finding that the evidence did not show sufficient impairment to warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder, the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the claim was received within one year after a final denial in June 1995 and thus the effective date is July 18, 1996.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected post traumatic stress disorder, finding that it causes total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's son, JA, should not have been considered a dependent child for VA compensation benefits prior to April 1, 2000. The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and received additional VA compensation benefits based on his marriage to CA. However, due to the lack of timely submission of necessary documentation regarding his son's dependency status, the effective date for these benefits is not earlier than April 1, 2000.

The veteran's PTSD has caused him to be demonstrably unable to retain employment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating since September 20, 1999.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms causing severe impairment in his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and in his ability to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back syndrome and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to walk without the aid of braces, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile is granted, but the claim for specially adapted housing is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's timely substantive appeal was filed, allowing his claims for service connection of residuals of a broken nose, PTSD, and an irregular heartbeat to proceed.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The evidence shows moderate symptoms consistent with a 50 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 2, 1998 for a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD with dysthymia is granted based on the informal claim he made in February 1998.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from March 12, 1997 to July 7, 2000 and at 50 percent on and after July 8, 2000.