PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in an inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's stressors have now been confirmed, allowing for a finding of service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to newly submitted evidence. However, the evaluation and compensation claims related to frostbite residuals remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 28, 1998 for a 70% rating for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 9, 2002 is still pending.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by clear and relevant thoughts, a depressed mood with irritability and sleep disturbances, daily intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, a constricted affect, anxiety, temper outbursts, suicidal ideation, and hypervigilance. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board has granted a higher rating for his PTSD and also found that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of March 14, 2000 for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on his claim received on that date. The diagnosis of PTSD was established in 1999 and thereafter.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is granted as incurred during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder as there was no verified in-service stressor and the veteran's claim was not supported by credible evidence.

The Board has vacated the March 2002 decision and remanded the case due to failure to provide adequate reasons and bases for its decision. The veteran's claim was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 100% from August 18, 1992. The RO reduced this to 50%, but the Board has now restored the original rating of 100%. PTSD continues to cause total industrial and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a nervous disorder, claimed as anxiety and PTSD, to include as secondary to service-connected duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia. The veteran's current diagnoses are thought to be due to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation from February 5, 1999 to July 25, 2000 and a 100 percent rating since July 26, 2000.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is a result of his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's reported stressors occurred during his active duty service in Vietnam. The claim for an increased rating for seizure disorder is remanded due to incomplete notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted this claim. The Board also found that the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his Vietnam service, which allows him to have his reported stressors accepted as true without further verification.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him mentally incapacitated, requiring regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for TDIU of June 28, 1991, finding that the veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of February 12, 1991.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.