PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, a fungal infection of the feet, and an increased evaluation for bilateral defective hearing. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor event.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left hand injury, described as scars on the left 3rd and 4th fingers. Service connection was also granted for a low back disorder and a skin disorder. However, service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hypertension is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD, and denied an increased evaluation for his PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since May 12, 1998. Effective January 1, 2001, the RO granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, which was previously denied in June 1994. The issue of residuals of a back injury is still pending and will be addressed separately.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 21, 2001 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's request for attorneys fees in excess of $1,643.07 from past due benefits awarded for an increased rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and no link between current symptoms and service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for post-operative residuals and recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, and entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, are no longer before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding his claim for service connection for PTSD, and therefore dismissed the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the evidence did not support a verified in-service stressor, and his claimed events were based on unverified history.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of September 13, 1991 for a 100% disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for PTSD, finding that the disability has not resulted in more than considerable social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of the additional evidence developed by the Board. The issues on appeal are service connection for PTSD and compensation for additional disability related to reproductive problems and hysterectomy as a result of VA medical treatment, including any failure to diagnose or treat a disorder under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, respiratory disability, bleeding in the stomach, subdural hematoma, fatigue, headaches, and chronic disorders of the wrists, ankles, neck, elbows, and knees due to an undiagnosed illness. The denial is based on a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors actually occurred.

The Board restored the veteran's 100 percent rating for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no improvement in his condition and thus warranting restoration.