PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for digestive tract residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and noting that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has found that the veteran's statements to be sufficient to establish that the occurrence of his claimed combat stressors. The medical evidence of record establishes that the veteran carries a current diagnosis of PTSD, and that the disorder is related to the veteran's combat service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted and assigned a 10 percent rating as of January 31, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's reported stressor is credible and consistent with his Vietnam service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective from January 14, 2002. The veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a hairline fracture of the skull, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond the current 30 percent.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated as moderate, with symptoms such as sleeplessness, irritability, nightmares, and restlessness. The Board found that the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation are met due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and his reported stressor is not combat-related. The evidence does not establish a valid PTSD diagnosis or link to an inservice stressor, leading to denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 7, 1996. The Board remanded the case for further development regarding a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on direct evidence of a current disability, a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor, and credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor.

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

The veteran's claim for a retroactive effective date of October 9, 1981 was granted, aligning with the addition of PTSD to VA's Schedule in April 1980 and his continuous eligibility for benefits prior to that date.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an initial 30 percent evaluation, effective March 12, 2001. The veteran's symptoms have been described as productive of no more than occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a traveling member of the Board.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to service and denied his claims for service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post traumatic stress disorder is related to his military service in Vietnam and grants this claim.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The issue of hepatitis C will be addressed in a separate decision.